How To Save Money On Your Holiday Gift Shopping

by: Robert Landis

With the rising costs of gasoline and heating oil, as well as rising interest rate charges, saving money is at the top of everyone's wish list this holiday season. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your gift shopping dollars this holiday season.

1. Set a budget. This seems like a simple step, but many people fail to do this before starting their holiday shopping. Figure the total amount you can afford to spend on gifts and then divide that number by the total number of people on your list. This gives you the average amount that you should spend on each person. Try and stay within this limit for each person on your list.

2. Compare Prices. With the internet, it is easy to compare prices on most products. Some websites even offer customer comments which can give you valuable information on quality, ease of use, customer service, and overall ratings for many products. Some of the best websites for this are nextag.com, epinions.com, pricegrabber.com, and shopping.com.

The Making of Holiday Events

by: Cyndi Seidler

What's your vision of this holiday season? Creating a memorable holiday is like orchestrating a major production. There are people, props, and agendas involved.

Appoint yourself as the producer and bring together the pieces to transform your vision into a reality.

Start a list of what activities would give you the most pleasure, and then decide what the main event(s) will be.

Are you going to be throwing a party? Having a tree-trimming party? Doing charity work? Going on a light-gazing tour? You might need to do meal planning, party planning, travel planning, and/or gift planning.

Break down your holiday event(s) into action tasks. Set priorities and schedules of the activities that need to be carried out.

Keep Seniors Independent and Involved -Practical Acts of Kindness

by: Ginny Dye

Sometimes elderly people can be fierce about maintaining their independence - some would say downright stubborn. But it is hard to give up taking care of oneself and give the reins over to someone else. It can diminish their spirits to depend on others to do tasks they used to do so easily.

How can you help without taking away their independence?

Following are five ideas from the free e-book, 101 Ways to Change the World. Use them to stir up your own ideas. Let’s keep our seniors involved in life – they are a valuable commodity!

Holiday Planning Tips For Busy Moms

by: Aurelia M. Williams Ahhh, the Holidays…… The Thanksgiving turkey comes out of the oven golden brown, with an enticing aroma that fills the entire house. All the china is in pristine condition and not a single piece in the set is missing. The family is gathered for holiday pictures, the children are poised perfectly; hands to themselves, not a hair out of place and their smiles are shining brightly for the camera. Then just as the photographer is about to capture the shot… you wake up!

Win a Super Shopping Spree and Never Have to Buy a Gift Again

by: ARA

(ARA) - The holiday season ushers in a time of joy and a spirit of giving -- as well as frequent frustration at finding the perfect gifts for the special people in your life. But as the gifts add up, so do the bills. Wouldn’t it be nice to do all your holiday shopping without having to worry about money? You now have a chance to make that dream a reality for all your gift needs.

Lillian Vernon Corporation, a leading national catalog and online retailer, has launched a new sweepstakes. The grand prize is $25,000 of Lillian Vernon products, the first prize is a luxury trip for two to New York City, and the second prize is a year of fresh flowers.

The Power to Succeed

by: Neil Millar

It’s amazing how we fool ourselves... while at the same time believing we are doing what’s best.

Let me give you an example. I overheard a guy telling a group of friends, over drinks, how he had become fed-up with work. Guys being guys, they immediately started to come up with options to fix the problem – ideas like changing company and changing jobs. That was when the guy got all logical…

‘Yeah, but I need to pay the mortgage and my kid’s education and we’ve got a holiday planned for the Bahamas and…’

Flannel -- A Tradition That Never Goes Out of Style

by: ARA

(ARA) - Gadgets are good, books can be beautiful, sweaters can be sensible, and sexy lingerie -- well it’s seductive to say the least. But what would the majority of women (and their daughters) like wrapped up under the Christmas tree? You guessed it -- it’s a fabulous flannel nightgown to replace the thread-bare, worn (and well-loved) one they’re probably wearing Christmas morning.

And because flannel is long-wearing, it's actually become a once-a-year gift giving tradition.

Have a Christmas Party-a planning guide

by: M Johnsona

This is a favorite time of the year for many people. Why not
take one night in December and set up a nice holiday
party. Plan a small get together with family and friends.

It is a great excuse to get together. Plan it early in
December so it doesn't conflict with all the Christmas Day
events. Before you get too deep in the planning see how many
people will be able to come. Then base your plan off that
number.

Holiday Entertaining Made Easy

by: ARA

(ARA) – Every year around this time, the number-one complaint people make is that there isn’t enough time to get everything done. You have to put up the lights, decorate your tree, shop for gifts, and send out cards. As if those tasks weren’t stressful enough, a lot of people also decide to add holiday entertaining to the list.

There’s no getting around the fact that putting on a holiday party is going to be a lot of work; but if you plan ahead, you’ll find it makes all the difference. Whatever you do, keep it simple. That goes for everything from decorations to the menu.

Tipping For The Holidays: Who To Gift And How Much?

by: Daniel Karpelman

The holidays are the time of year to share your love and appreciation to the most important people in your life. For many, that includes those people who provide support and services throughout the year. From your favorite babysitter, housekeeper or the hair stylist who always gets your cut just the way you like it, a tip - enclosed in an envelope with a handwritten note - is sure to be appreciated.

Gift Ideas for Families

by: ARA

(ARA) - Video games, scooters, new gadgets and the hottest new toys -- the holiday shopping list can go on and on and cost quite a bit of money, and choosing gifts can be very stressful and time consuming. Why not simplify your shopping by selecting a single gift that the entire family can enjoy?

Buying one gift eliminates the anxiety of trying to find exactly the right toy or the correct size and color as the perfect gift. When choosing for a group, it works well to focus on a single theme or activity that the family enjoys doing together such as camping, cycling, hiking, or the arts.

Planning Creative Holiday Parties

by: ARA

(ARA) - “You’re invited . . .” are always popular and welcome words around the holidays. If you’re like me, you love to host a party. But if you’re a hostess with the “leastest” amount of time, a party is a lot of work. Entertaining requires considerable planning and preparation because there are so many things to do.

Think about the parties you’ve attended and what made them special. Was it the food, guests, laughs, decorations, ambience? The parties I liked best were the ones that touched me in a personal way. A special party creates lasting memories for you and your guests. No matter who is on the guest list, the basics of organizing a party are almost always the same. What’s different is how you customize the details. Here are my tips to get you started:

Gathering with Extended Family for the Holidays Doesn’t Have to be Painful

by: ARA

 

(ARA) - Aunt Edna is upset because Cousin Billy is bringing his new girlfriend, and she doesn’t think she should have to buy her a gift. Sue and Harry’s family can only come on the Saturday before the holiday, and Aunt Judy insists that everything be home cooked. Considering the obstacles and opinions, why will Americans mob the airports and highways this holiday season, as they do every year, to attend gatherings with their extended families?

Holiday tree trends: Choose a new theme to decorate your tree

by: NC

 

Choose a new theme to decorate your tree (NC)—Trimming the tree is an activity that captures the holiday spirit and reflects personal style. The decorating team at Canadian Tire suggests these new ways to dress up your holiday tree. Pick an entirely new theme or incorporate fresh touches to complement an existing look.

Top tree decorating trends

When considering a theme to complement your home décor, consider lighting, colour combinations, textures, and the mixing and matching of various materials.

Entertaining Tips:Add a touch of Italian to your dessert table

by: NC

 

Add a touch of Italian to your dessert table (NC)—If you are invited to an Italian home this Christmas chances are you will be served panettone. Or it could be the reverse. If someone of Italian decent is invited to your home this Christmas there is a very good chance they will bring a panettone. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional fruit bread of the old country.

But this is bread with flare. Not only is it packaged festively in shimmering gold wrap for the holidays, it is also shaped like a tall cake – a bit like a chef's hat – and its ingredients of natural yeast, eggs and butter with candied fruit and raisins, make for great diversity at holiday mealtimes.

How to Save Money with Great Gift Ideas

by: Ispas Marin

Want to save $1000 this year for very little effort? Gift giving is an area where impulse buying is a frequent occurrence. I was amazed to discover I was spending over $1500 or more per year for gifts. What have you spent for gifts in the last 12 months?

In my experience, gifts were last minute purchases for which money was no object. I now spend less than $500 per year for gifts. Take two hours of your life and save yourself $1000 or more per year on gift giving.

Tips On Hosting a Christmas tree trimming party

by: Adam Lenk

Do you remember when the Christmas season was less of a hassle and more of a joyous time spent with family and friends? Back in the day, families just seemed to have enough time to sit back and enjoy the holiday season. Today, on the other hand, many people get harried, rushed and basically stressed out during the Christmas holiday. There just seems to be no time to enjoy any of life's simple pleasures when there is so much shopping and entertaining to squeeze in during a short period of time.

Three Steps to Reduce Holiday Stress for Your Kitty

by: Nancy E. wigal

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated - send to nancy@cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

The annual holidays can be a very stressful time for your cat. This is the time of the year when that strange tree goes up, bright trinkets are hung (but all your cat hears is “No, no, bad kitty!” when she tries to explore them), delicious food is prepared (cats need not apply to eat it!), and lots of strange people come tramping into the house.

Dress Your Gifts to Impress

by: ARA

(ARA) - Impress friends and family this holiday season by ditching the wrapping paper for a more personalized gift presentation. Creative packaging can heighten suspense and make gift exchanges more memorable and meaningful. The gifting experts at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM suggest the following wrapping ideas that are guaranteed to dazzle all those on your gift list!

Make the most of renting a holiday/vacation villa in Orlando Florida USA

by: Philip Howard

Going to Florida can be, for most, a holiday of a lifetime quite literally as families choose "The right time to take the Kids" and will only ever go once.

Imagine if your holiday of a lifetime turned into a complete disaster just because you didn't do some simple planning that the 'Kids' could easily do for you?

The Day X-Mass Went Up For Sale

by: Geela

My mom used to say, "we remember a friend with a flower." In other words, it's the intention and not the size of the gift that counts. But in a materialistic-driven society, where everything has a price tag even friendships and holidays, that's considered "uncool" and politically incorrect.

Remember the famous line from the hit movie "Harry Potter" which best captures today's mentality of excessive self-indulgence and a sense of entitlement, "But Mum, how could you get me only 22 presents for X-mass this year...?"

Americans are Turning to Traditional Gifts for Holiday Season

by: ARA
(ARA) - With daily lives run by cell phones, e-mails, and “personal digital assistants,” it’s no wonder Americans feel such a strong desire to reconnect with family, friends, and tradition during the holiday season. And what better way to reconnect than by giving traditional gifts with a handcrafted, personal touch?

Teddy bears have always been a welcomed site on Christmas morning, especially an old fashion teddy bear, like the one you remember as a child. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company handcrafts their teddy bears in the Green Mountains of Vermont and their bears feature the same fully jointed design as the first American Teddy Bear made in 1902.

‘Tis the Season for Toys: America’s Pop Culture Looks Toward Japan

by: ARA

(ARA) – The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has officially arrived. As Jack Frost begins to nip at your nose, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the variety of toys available for your little ones. In perusing toy shelves during holiday shopping this season, you’ll be sure to notice the popularity of Japanese influence in American kids’ brands continues to dominate.

Go to the movies, walk down a toy aisle, or turn on Saturday morning cartoons and you’re more than likely to find all sorts of Japanese influence on current American pop culture.

Undercover Las Vegas Wedding Invitations Operation Unveiled

by: Renae C Judkins

VegasWedlock is an online magazine dedicated to Las Vegas brides that provides Las Vegas wedding tips and tricks, but recently, they have revealed a secret kept undercover for months.
VegasWedlock recently unveiled an additional Web site to sell massive amounts of Las Vegas themed wedding invitations designed exclusively by professional graphic designers for the Las Vegas bride.
The Web site will now be the largest retailer of Las Vegas themed wedding invitations in the world.
The invitations were secretly designed by professional graphic designers who were told not to leak the information about the new Las Vegas invitations to anyone. 

How to Make Sure Holiday Card Writing is Not a Chore

by: Patty Gale

Copyright 2008 – Patty Gale

Sending holiday cards does not have to be a tedious chore. I remember when I was little, my mom would tape all the pretty cards around a special doorframe in our house and I would love to see where they all came from. The pretty trees, stars, snowmen made it fun to see what the mail carrier would bring that day.

There is nothing more special than the smile created at the mailbox from a friend or loved one when they receive your card. It should be something that we want to do in showing those we care about that we are thinking of them, not something we feel obligated to do just because it’s “that time of year again.”

Hey Parents, Stop Before You Shop: Here’s How to Avoid Holiday Teen Gift Faux Pas

by: ARA

(ARA) - As the holidays go by year after year, trendy gifts come and go. A few years ago we witnessed the truly engaging battery-operated, wall-mounted singing fish. Rewind to the decade prior and we find the puzzling Rubik’s Cube, as well as a dozen theory books on how to solve it. But holiday seasons throughout time have shared one common truth. It’s a constant struggle to find that perfect gift for teens, especially one that adults can feel good about.

Holiday gifts that promise a pampering New Year

by: NC

a pampering New Year (NC)—Looking for a snazzy stocking stuffer for your siblings, the perfect gift for a friend, or a stylish token of appreciation for the 'hostess with the most-ess'? The Body Shop has the holidays wrapped up with an extensive collection of inspirational gifts at a wide range of affordable prices.

"There are gifts that bring the indulgence of a relaxing spa treatment right into your home,and all the benefits of high-quality skin and body care" says Laine Ferguson, Executive VP of Retail, The Body Shop. "And don't forget a seasonal pick-me-up for yourself to help you stay calm throughout the holiday rush."
Seasonal Gifting Made Simple

Christmas Traditions in Germany

by: Jared Winston

Countries all across the world celebrate the winter solstice holiday season in their own unique ways. Some such as Christmas and Hanukah are religious celebrations, while others are non-religious celebrations of nature, people and the coming spring solstice. The reasoning behind the various holiday celebrations can sometimes differ greatly, but there are a surprising number of commonalities among the celebratory traditions. Over the thousands of years that man has celebrated the season, each group influenced others with their traditions.

Holiday Gift Guide for People Who Enjoy “Must See TV”

by: ARA

(ARA) – Hard to believe this is going to be the last holiday season that Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Joey gather around the Christmas tree and Hanukkah Menorah to share memories. NBC’s Friends is coming to an end after a 10 year run on the network.

The show about love, life and lattes doesn’t wrap up until after the all-important May television ratings book, but if you know someone who is already in mourning over the inevitable end, a Friends’ themed-gift would be much appreciated this holiday season.

Staying Organized This Holiday Season?

by: Sandy Baker
The holiday season is upon us. You now have this huge taste of staying organized throughout it. You need to purchase gifts for a number of people. You’ll need to take care of the spouse, the kids of course. You’ll need to remember to take care of your parents, your sisters and brothers….your in laws of course. Then, there are your friends. Don’t forget about the boss either…then there are the co workers….oh, and the neighbor that helps to get your child off the bus. You have to think about your child’s friends, their teachers. Don’t get the bus driver either. How in the world are you supposed to keep track of all of that?

How to avoid Christmas debt overload

by: Rose Lenk
The Christmas season is truly the season of giving. There is no other time of the year when people’s hearts are as open or their hands are as freely generous as they are during the Christmas holiday. I mean, even our favorite Christmas motto states, “It is better to give than to receive.”

While giving does fill your heart with joy and help those who are less fortunate than us, many have taken this motto to extremes when it comes to buying Christmas presents for their children, spouses and other family members.

Pack n' Ship Tips for the Holiday Season

by: NC
(NC)—The fun and frenzy of holiday shopping doesn't end at the mall – you still have to get the packages to friends, family and business associates in time for the holidays, and in one piece.

"Taking an extra moment to carefully package items correctly saves everyone money in the long run and lessens some of the holiday stress," says Barbara Foster, a packing trainer for Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) who works with hundreds of MBE staff in over 275 of its centres across the country. MBE is Canada's largest retail chain of business and courier service centres and is expected to ship more than 100,000 holiday packages this season with the assistance of several of its courier suppliers, including UPS.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Interior Décor Presents

by: Jeanette Joy Fisher

Choosing a gift for someone to display in their home can be frustrating. On the other hand, if you're shopping for a friend or family member, you can give a present that will be appreciated.

When to Not Give Home Décor Presents

Last Minute Gifts to Rescue Your Mind and Wallet

by: ARA

(ARA) - For most people, the holidays are a wonderful, exciting season devoted to friends, family and festivities. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, exchanging gifts is an eagerly anticipated part of holiday celebrations. However, this same holiday tradition can also be completely nerve-racking, with crowded malls and the stress of finding the right gifts for the right people . . . on the right budget.

Holiday Craftts - Thanksgiving and Christmas Decoration Ideas

by: Brigitte Smith

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday! What a spiritual renewal to take a day to reflect over the past year about just how good God has been to you and your family, to give you harvest and shelter, health and hope. To get the most out of this joyous occasion, make some holiday crafts with your children. These days, Thanksgiving often gets squeezed out by Hallowe'en's spooky decorations and the lights and gala of Christmas. With the following holiday crafts, your home can be decorated for this quieter but important celebration.

Kids Dish about the True Meaning of Christmas, Moms’ Roles in Pulling the Holidays Together and Hot Gifts on Their Wish Lists

by: ARA

(ARA) - Decorating, cooking, cleaning and more. When it comes to preparing for a picture perfect holiday season, there is one holiday elf that’s busy at work -- Mom. According to the KidzEyes Holiday Wish List and Habits survey, 64 percent of kids say that their moms bear the brunt of responsibility for making sure the Christmas season is bright versus a mere 1 percent who say dad does his fair share.

Make a List, Check it Twice -- and, Don’t Forget Your Pets

by: ARA
(ARA) - Holidays are a special time for friends and family. Since pets are a part of the family too, make sure your holiday is pet friendly. Here are some helpful tips from Jill Richardson, D.V.M, one of the pet pros at Hartz, a leader in the pet products industry.

Holiday Planning Tips For Busy Moms

by: Aurelia M. Williams
Ahhh, the Holidays…… The Thanksgiving turkey comes out of the oven golden brown, with an enticing aroma that fills the entire house. All the china is in pristine condition and not a single piece in the set is missing. The family is gathered for holiday pictures, the children are poised perfectly; hands to themselves, not a hair out of place and their smiles are shining brightly for the camera. Then just as the photographer is about to capture the shot… you wake up!
Let's be realistic ladies. Without proper planning, the holidays are anything but a holiday. Just look at the list of things that need to be done: Shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, sending holiday mail, the list goes on and on.
Let me clue you all in on a few key questions that you should ask yourself in order to have a holiday season free of stress and worry, and instead filled with fun and laughter:

Holiday entertaining made easy

by: NC
(NC)—As the holiday season draws near, many Canadians will begin planning a festive get-together for family and friends. The team at Canadian Tire have put together entertaining ideas to add some flare to celebrations this year.
Formal dinner

The Holidays Are a Time to Honor Seniors

by: ARA
(ARA) – Older adults are often the best storytellers in the family. Their memories, traditions and talents are just waiting to be shared. But as we approach the holiday season, many older citizens won’t be near their families because they live far apart.

Host and Hostess gifts made easy

by: NC

(NC)—As the holidays draw near, many people will be receiving invitations from family, friends and neighbours to get together for some holiday cheer. Proper etiquette is to bring a little something for the host or hostess. The holiday gift team at Canadian Tire has a few suggestions on how to pick a special something for the gracious host.

Gifts with a Purpose

by: ARA

(ARA) - Your holidays will sparkle even brighter when you give a gift that helps make children’s wishes come true. This year, Things Remembered offers a collectible holiday ornament, musical snow globe and star keepsake box -- all benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Home for the Holidays

by: ARA

ARA) - The holiday season is a time to step back from daily routines, reflect and spend time with loved ones. This year, take time to truly feel the holiday spirit by gathering family and friends together to decorate the home for holiday festivities.

The Making of Holiday Events

by: Cyndi Seidler

What's your vision of this holiday season? Creating a memorable holiday is like orchestrating a major production. There are people, props, and agendas involved.

Appoint yourself as the producer and bring together the pieces to transform your vision into a reality.

Start a list of what activities would give you the most pleasure, and then decide what the main event(s) will be.

Holiday Decorating Ideas And The Environment

by: Jeanette Joy Fisher

Have you thought about how your holiday decorating affects the environment? What can you do about your holiday decorating to improve your happiness and at the same time be kind to the environment?

The good news, taking action to decorate your home and office for the holidays, while keeping respect for the environment, makes your workload easier.

Conquer holiday stress with simplicity. Keep your decorations to a minimum. Simple holiday decorating makes your life easier to manage.

Holiday Planning Tips For Busy Moms

by: Aurelia M. Williams

Ahhh, the Holidays…… The Thanksgiving turkey comes out of the oven golden brown, with an enticing aroma that fills the entire house. All the china is in pristine condition and not a single piece in the set is missing. The family is gathered for holiday pictures, the children are poised perfectly; hands to themselves, not a hair out of place and their smiles are shining brightly for the camera. Then just as the photographer is about to capture the shot… you wake up!

Your Winter Wedding

by: Amanda Baker

Winter is such a beautiful time of year, and is a perfect time for a wedding! Even if you live in a part of the world where there is no snow, a winder wedding can be filled with magic and electricity. The crisp chill in the air and a horse drawn carriage can seem like something off of a Christmas card, and you will be surprised at just how romantic the atmosphere can be.