2011 Gift Guide

iris

holiday gift guide

2011 November - December Kids and Gifts

How much is too much?

Secure Your Identity

Survive Holiday Shopping

When shopping online.

With kids in tow.

Do’s & Don’ts

Exchanging gifts with co-workers.

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2011

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November - December

2011

features

Publisher Jack Osteen jack@theitem.com

Giving on a Tight Budget.............. 4

Sales Manager Waverly Williams wwilliams@theitem.com Layout and Design Cary Johnson cjohnson@theitem.com Manon Zamora-Barwick mbarwick@theitem.com Erin Duffie eduffie@theitem.com The Item Osteen Publishing Co. 20 N. Magnolia Street Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com

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contents

about iris

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Kids and Gifts................................. 8 How much is too much?

‘Tis the Season for.......................... 9 Online Holiday Scams and Cons

It’s a wrap..................................... 10 Green alternatives for gift packaging

Holiday Shopping........................ 11 Minus the Crowds

Sensible Planning........................ 12 Makes for Smart Holiday Shopping

Survive Holiday Shopping........... 13 With kids in tow

Do’s & Don’ts for........................... 14 Exchanging gifts with coworkers

Layaway Plans............................. 15 Make a comeback

Gifts from Bad to Worse............... 17 Shipping Gifts............................... 18 More than just timing

Last Minute................................... 18 Holiday Shopping Tips

A Quick Guide to........................ 19 Gift-Giving Etiquette

How to plan a ............................. 20 Successful Office Holiday Party

Six Strategies for.......................... 24 Tranquil Holiday Travel

Tipping Point................................. 27 Who to tip during the holidays

Credit Crunch.............................. 28 Managing credit cards during the holidays

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Giving As global economic woes continue, holiday spending remains difficult to predict. In 2010, holiday spending rose more than five percent from the year before, according to MasterCard AdvisorsTM SpendingPulseTM. That increase surprised forecasters, many of whom predicted holiday spending would decline for the fifth straight year.

With the holiday season on the horizon once again, no one truly knows what consumer response will be. But many consumers figure to exercise some restraint this holiday season, sticking to a budget when buying gifts for family and friends. While budgets are good ways to limit spending, a holiday spending budget doesn’t mean shoppers can’t still put a smile on their loved ones’ faces. In fact, with a few tips, holiday shoppers can stick to their budgets and still enjoy a happy holiday season.

Get creative. Holiday gifts don’t

have to be bought at the local mall or from an online retailer. Gift-givers with unique talents can create their own gifts and save some money along the way. For example, shoppers skilled at woodworking can create a personalized wood carving for a friend or family member. Good at knitting? Knit a scarf, mittens or even a blanket for a loved one who lives in a cold weather region. Such personalized gifts are often especially meaningful to their recipients, who appreciate the time and effort such keepsakes take to create.

Be patient.

Nowadays, many families are so spread out geographically that they don’t always get together on Christmas Day. If that’s the case and you won’t be seeing your family until a few days after Christmas, take advantage of the special sales offered in the days after the actual holiday.

Items are often heavily discounted, and if you can stay patient, your patience might just pay off with substantial savings.

Establish spending rules

with family members before the shopping season begins. In an effort to reduce some of the financial burden of the holiday season, many families

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have begun to place spending limits on holiday shopping. This saves everyone money and ensures no one finds themselves with substantial debt come the new year.

Do a gift exchange

with family and friends. Many larger families have also begun to do a gift exchange rather than asking members of the family to buy gifts for each and every member of the family. In a gift exchange, each member of the family draws a name out of a hat and then only buys a gift for that specific person. This even has the added benefit of allowing shoppers to buy something a little more expensive for a family member since they aren’t obligated to buy gifts for anyone else.

Start early.

The earlier you begin your holiday shopping, the more you can spread out your spending. This reduces the financial stress of the season while still allowing shoppers to get something special for everyone on their shopping list.

Holiday spending may or may not increase this holiday season. But savvy shoppers can still make the most of their spending without breaking the bank.

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Families across the globe cherish their Christmas traditions. Customs may be unique to every family, but many countries boast their own unique traditions as well. * Australia: Many Australians celebrate Christmas by coming together at night to sing carols outside. That’s not as chilly as it might sound, as Christmas in Australia actually falls during summer vacation. In fact, many of the country’s most popular Christmas traditions occur outside. * England: Contrary to Australia, England’s weather around Christmastime is much colder. Many of England’s traditions resemble those popular in North America, including wrapping gifts, hanging stockings over the fireplace and gathering around the Christmas tree. Kids inEngland write a letter with their wishes to Father Christmas, but unlike mailing those letters like many North American children do, English children toss their letters into a fire so their Christmas wishes can go up the chimney. * France: Christmas celebrations in France begin several weeks before December 25, but Christmas Eve is most special to many natives of France. On Christmas Eve, church bells ring as people sing noels, or carols. The following day, a feast is enjoyed upon returning home from church. * Germany: In Germany, the weather is cold during the Christmas season, and in the weeks leading up to Christmas families bake sweet bread, cakes with candied fruits and spicy cookies. Advent wreaths are popular in Germany and are purchased four Sundays before Christmas begins. The wreaths have places for four candles, and families light a candle on the wreath each Sunday. * Mexico: Families in Mexico celebrate Christmas by decorating their homes with lilies or evergreens. Because the weather is warm, many families also cut designs into brown paper bags before inserting a candle and then setting the designs, called farolitos, along the sidewalk, on windowsills, on rooftops, and along outdoor walls. Many communities in the southwestern United States have adopted this tradition, which they often refer to as luminaria. * Sweden: Christmas celebrations in Sweden begin on December 13, the day the country celebrates St. Lucia’s Day. Celebrations for St. Lucia, the patron saint of light, are intricate and involve the whole family. A couple of days before Christmas is when many families select their Christmas tree

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Toys through history that caused a

“Feeding” Frenzy

‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the store; Parents seek the hottest toy, while sales clerks shout, “No more!”

Few holiday seasons have come and gone without a must-have toy causing pandemonium among shoppers. In the months leading up to Christmas, one toy always seems to grab kids’ attention and become a must-have item. These could be quirky digital-voiced animals or video game consoles.

Naturally, children put these gifts on their letters to Santa or wish lists. But as the days wind down to Christmas, manufacturers often cannot meet the demand for the season’s most popular item. It’s then left to parents to find the toys and gadgets by whatever means necessary.

Certain toys throughout history have caused a frenzy that results in desperate parents scouring wiped-out toy stores or making black-market deals to land themselves a hot toy. Here is a list of them, courtesy of MSNBC. • Shirley Temple Doll (1934): Shirley Temple was the inspiration behind the first recorded toy to cause a shopping frenzy. The demand for the doll elevated after the actress’ breakout film, “Bright Eyes,” was released three days before Christmas.

• G.I. Joe (1964): Hasbro came up with the male action figure after watching Barbie dolls become such a popular toy for tots. The action figures were an instant hit, garnering over $16 million in 1964 alone.

• “Star Wars” Action Figures (1977): No one expected George Lucas’ franchise to become such a smash hit. The merchandising company associated with the project didn’t have time to make associated toys beyond a few board games and coloring books once “Star Wars” fever took hold. Therefore, “Early Bird Certificate” vouchers were sold and the action figures were shipped out a few months later. These action figures can still thrill, with eBay auctions bringing in $1,200 and up for figures that once retailed for just a few dollars.

• Cabbage Patch Kids (1983): What little girl in the mid-1980s didn’t want a chubby-faced Cabbage Patch Kid to adopt as her very own? The demand for this fad doll became so heated that adults fought over them and price gouging ensued.

• Teddy Ruxpin (1985): If kids weren’t seeking a Cabbage Patch doll, they may have been hoping to find a Teddy Ruxpin doll under their tree.

Teddy Ruxpin was an animatronic

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bear who interacted with the child and told stories. It was based on the animated figures kids would see at theme parks or at their local play areas. Shortages around the holidays played into frenzied behavior. The doll was expensive for its day, coming in at around $68.

• Tickle Me Elmo (1996): “Sesame Street” fans fell right into the hype offered by Tyco Toys and Children’s Television Workshop. Stampedes occurred in toy stores, people were injured and reports of extreme price gouging ensued, all in an effort for people to get their hands on the giggling, red furball.

• Furby (1998): This creature reminiscent of the popular 1980s film “Gremlins” came out of the box speaking its own language and slowly learned English over time. The animated pet/friend became the must-have toy of the year, but production numbers were scant in comparison to demand.

• Nintendo Wii (2006): Video game aficionados were wowed by the motionsensing game controllers of this new system. This helped push the Wii to the top spot for video game consoles for that year and created a demand that led to limits on units purchased, diminished inventory, and even vouchers or wrist bands being offered by stores to get your hands on the Wii.

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Kids and Gifts:

How much is too much?

Despite the many messages from all corners promoting a “more is better” philosophy when it comes to holiday gifts, the truth is far more complex — especially for children. While most parents work hard to give their kids everything they need and much of what they want, it is often hard to draw the line, prompting many well intentioned moms and dads to ask, “How much is too much?”

In general, the answer lies within each family. Parents should purchase what makes sense to them and what they believe their children will use and appreciate.

However, in recent years, child psychologists and experts in child development have returned to these questions as economic conditions have forced many families to scale back, both throughout the year and during the holiday season.

Books such as “The Pampered Child Syndrome” (Jessica Kingsley, 2006) by Maggie Mamen and “Give Me, Get Me, Buy Me” (HCI, 2010) by Donna Corwin and several others on the same topic offer similar conclusions: When children are given too much over the course of their childhoods, they can develop a serious case of entitlement, become unappreciative of what they have and begin to equate love with “stuff.” And for younger children, receiving a huge pile of gifts in one sitting can be both overwhelming and overstimulating.

If you have been wondering about these issues, here are some general guidelines for having a fun-filled holiday with just enough stuff.

Particularly in bigger families, gift-giving can become a financial and emotional burden if everyone buys for everyone. Drawing names not only reduces those burdens, but often results in more meaningful gifts all around.

Opt for a shared experience Consider pooling the money you would have spent on individual gifts and putting it toward a special outing, vacation or shared item for your home. Long after the toys have broken and the electronics have stopped working, your children will cherish their memories of a holiday that focused on sharing time together.

Communicate If Grandpa Mike or Aunt Emily has a reputation for heaping on the presents at Christmas or Chanukah, let them know ahead of time that one will do, then offer a suggestion that is sure to please your son or daughter. If they insist that they want to do more, consider asking them to make a donation in your child’s name to a charitable organization or to purchase a gift for a local child in need.

Collaborate

Make a gift plan Before setting out on your first shopping expedition, devise a plan that makes sense for your family. If you have younger children, decide on the number of gifts for each. With older children, you might want to establish a dollar amount rather than a gift amount. Once you’ve made the plan, stick to it — no matter what.

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Sometimes one big gift makes a lot more sense. If your child would love a new bike or a trampoline or horseback riding lessons, consider asking extended family members to contribute to that item or to items that go with it, such as a helmet or other gear.

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It is sad but true: As the holiday season heats up, so do the number of scams and cons perpetrated on unsuspecting consumers. While swindlers, thieves and pickpockets operate year-round, the period from November to January offers criminals more opportunities for wrongdoing and a population of prospective targets who are feeling generous and preoccupied with the demands and doings of the holiday season.

Consumers can avoid being victimized this season by being both wary and aware of the types of holiday scams that are out there.

According to ConsumerAffairs.com, some of the most common online cons include: Charity “phishing” scams.

During the holiday season, computer hackers prey on people’s generosity by sending what appear to be legitimate e-mails seeking donations to legitimate charities.

However, these cybercriminals use fake Web sites with the purpose of stealing not only donations, but donors’ identities and credit card information. What to do: Ignore and immediately delete e-mails asking for donations and personal information. Make charitable donations directly to organizations you know and trust.

Fake delivery invoices. The rise of Internet shopping has opened the doors to scams involving fake invoices and delivery notices from services such as FedEx, UPS or even the U.S. Customs Service.

Cybercriminals e-mail consumers requesting credit card information to credit the bank account or inform users that they have to open an online invoice or U.S. customs form

in order to receive their package.

This is actually a way for criminals to install malware — software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems — and steal personal information.

What to do: Track online purchases carefully and know what items are en route at any given time. Internet retailers will inform you when an item has shipped, but delivery services and U.S. Customs do not issue online invoices.

Social networking and holiday e-card scams. The holiday season is a social time of year when cybercriminals seize opportunities to steal personal information through social network “friend requests” and bogus holiday e-cards. What to do: If you receive a friend request or e-card from someone you don’t know and have never heard of, don’t click on the link.

Identity theft from public computers and open networks.

With millions of online holiday transactions speeding through cyberspace, cyberthieves are in hacker heaven. What to do: To ensure that your personal information is safe from the spying eyes of hackers, shop only on secure Web sites and never make financial transactions from a public computer or an open WI-Fi connection.

The bottom line: The holiday season is when cybercriminals go into high gear, so be aware of any e-mail that looks fishy or requests personal information. If you’re unsure, the best bet is to delete the e-mail and contact the Better Business Bureau online at www. bbb.org or the U.S. Department of Justice at www.cybercrime.gov.

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If your holiday halls are decked with stacks of paper bags, mounds of crumpled wrapping paper, an array of random ribbons, and a gaggle of gift tags that are destined for the local landfill, it’s time to add a little “green” to your gift-wrapping regimen.

Given that the average household’s waste jumps by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day and that holiday debris adds an additional one million tons per week to landfills, there is a lot that everyone can do to recycle, reuse and reduce during the holidays.

According to Eco-Chick.com, “If every family reused just two feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet. If every American family wrapped just 3 presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

The 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high. If we each sent one card less, we’d save 50,000 cubic yards of paper.”

Here are some ways to go green and even save green on gift packaging this year: Recycle: Conventional wrapping paper typically cannot be recycled since it is often coated in metal foil or is plastic laminated. But if the paper rips and doesn’t glitter or shine, it can — and should — be placed in the recycle bin along with other paper products. Check with

your local recycling provider to find out which types of wrapping paper they accept. The good news is that recyclable wrapping paper is increasingly available from both online and brick-and-mortar retailers such as Amazon.com, Office Depot and UncommonGoods.com.

Reuse: Before the opening of the gifts begins, set aside a box for collecting reusable boxes, wrapping paper, gift bags, bows, ribbons, and other decorative items. Even if wrapping paper is torn, it can be used for craft projects, packaging filler or to enclose smaller gifts the following year. Gift bags are also great candidates for reuse. If the surface of the bag is marred from removing ribbon or a bow, the spot can be covered with other decorative items or scraps of used wrapping paper.

Reduce: Recycling and reusing boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon and gift bags is a big step in the right direction. But the best way to avoid waste is to reduce the use of these items in the first place. Rather than wrapping gifts in paper, consider using scarves, old tea towels, cloth napkins, or leftover fabric. If you’re crafty, consider creating your own simple fabric sacks that can be easily sewn by hand or machine. If you’re not, try painting an old pillowcase and tying it up with fabric ribbon, string or even shoelaces. And don’t forget newspaper! The comics make colorful giftwrap any time of year, particularly for kids.

Holiday

Shopping

minus the crowds For serious shoppers and hardcore bargain hunters, battling the crowds and enduring the endless lines on Black Friday are simply traditions that usher in the holiday shopping season. For the rest of us, the idea of rising at 3 a.m. on the morning after Thanksgiving and heading out into the night to compete for gifts and assorted holiday goods with thousands of zealous consumers is nothing short of a nightmare. But for the truly squeamish, whose goal is to avoid even the hint of a crowd, there are indeed ways to purchase every gift on your list without encountering hordes of holiday shoppers.

The most obvious strategy for avoiding the masses is to shop online. According to surveys conducted by public opinion pollsters Rasmussen Reports and BIGresearch, in 2010 nearly 64 percent of American

adults did at least a portion of their shopping on the Web. Increasingly, people of all ages are opting to shop online not only to find better prices, but because purchasing via the Internet is convenient, fast and enables consumers to perform quick and accurate product and price comparisons. And with so many online retailers offering free shipping during the holiday season, many consumers see little reason to step inside a brick-and-mortar establishment.

However, even diehard e-shoppers recognize that there is something to be said for choosing a gift on site and in person; for taking the time to see and touch an object to determine its suitability. Whether you’re heading out in search of a dazzling diamond or a set of new dishtowels, here are some tips for avoiding shopping crowds: • Shop all year round. It’s harder to sidestep the

throngs of holiday shoppers during the peak season between October and late December. By picking up gifts throughout the year, you can take advantage of sales and avoid full parking lots and long lines. What’s more, year-round holiday shopping means that your gift budget gets spread out over the course of an entire year rather than a few short months.

• Shop when the crowds are elsewhere. The busiest holiday shopping periods are in the late afternoon or early evening and, of course, on weekends. If you can shop at lunchtime or take a few hours off during the workday, chances are good that stores will be far less crowded. Other good times to shop are during popular televised sporting events or television shows.

• Shop with purpose. If you know what you’re shopping for and have a good idea where to get it, there’s a greater likelihood that you can get in and out of the store quickly — and without blowing your budget on unnecessary items that catch your eye.

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Sensible

Planning

makes for smart holiday shopping The holiday season is among the most stressful times of year. With long lists of things to do, meals to prepare, family and friends to entertain, and gifts to buy, many people embark on the holiday season with more fear than cheer. And with so many people trying to spend less these days, preparing for the holidays has become that much more challenging. But by planning in advance and establishing a holiday shopping game plan, men and women can save money and maintain their peace of mind.

Start at the bottom line. The best way to avoid overspending during the holidays is to establish a budget — and then stick to it. Before making any holiday purchases, determine a holiday spending limit that is acceptable to you and your spouse or partner. The figure should include not only the cost of gifts, but expected expenditures for holiday entertainment and entertaining, decorations, travel, and items such as clothing and home improvements.

Know as you go. Know what portion of a holiday budget is for gifts and keep a running total of expenditures as you shop. This way, you will have a sense of where you stand at any given point

in the shopping season and can adjust accordingly.

Be an informed shopper. There are deals galore in the run-up to the holidays and it pays to compare prices and offers before making any purchases. Check newspaper and online ads as well as retailers’ Web sites to determine both where and when you can get the best deal.

Make a list and check it twice. Plan your purchases ahead of time to avoid impulse buying.

By having a gift in mind for each person on your list, you will save time, money and headaches.

Consider family gifts. If there are a number of families on your gift list, consider giving a single gift — or gift basket — that everyone can enjoy.

A waffle iron or ice cream maker, for example, is a gift that foodie families will savor for years to come.

Give the gift of your time. Some of the most cherished gifts have no price tag attached.

Homemade gift certificates for things like car washing, dishwashing, babysitting, lawn mowing, and closet cleaning are always wonderful and welcome. As the giver, just make sure to make good on your promise.

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Survive holiday shopping with

Kids in Tow

Tackling a holiday gift list — particularly at the peak of the season — can be stressful even for enthusiastic shoppers. But bringing kids along for the ride can be enough to inspire the most passionate purchasers to forsake shopping — at least brick-and-mortar shopping — forever. While leaving the kids behind may be optimal, here are some surefire strategies for surviving your next consumer outing with little ones in tow.

Prepare in advance. When it comes to shopping with kids, a little preparation goes a long way. If at all possible, choose a destination that offers some form of children’s entertainment, such as a play area or interactive display. Before you leave home, let kids know what you will be doing and your expectations of them during the process.

While you may need to repeat the information several times during the outing, take a few minutes before leaving to emphasize that gift shopping means buying things for others.

Bring appropriate toys. Pack a bag with a variety of toys and books that will keep your children occupied whether they are walking or in a stroller. Leave toys that come apart, can’t be carried or are intended for outdoor use at home. And don’t forget your child’s sleep time comfort item. A nap might be your best opportunity to cross a lot of gifts off your list.

Have nutritious snacks and drinks at the ready. Take along some water or milk

and snacks such as raisins, fruit and carrots that will both satisfy kids’ taste buds and keep them occupied.

Play games. At the start of your shopping adventure, give your children a series of challenges that will keep them busy and engaged. Kids who love to count will enjoy tracking the number of a particular item they spy as you shop and emerging readers will have fun scouting letters and words. Older children can be given more sophisticated challenges, such as tracking and totaling the cost of purchases or figuring out how much items will cost when a discount has been applied.

Let kids contribute. Take some of the sting out of being dragged from store to store by inviting your children to help make some of the day’s decisions. Would Aunt Nancy like the blue scarf or the red scarf? Should we have sandwiches or pizza for lunch?

A note about safety: Safety is a big concern when shopping with children in crowded malls or stores. Make sure that older kids know what to do and where to meet if you become separated. If younger children will be walking with you, write your cell phone number on a small piece of paper to be placed in their pockets or attached to the insides of their jackets. And remember, always accompany children into restrooms and keep an eye on them while inside.

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Do’s & Don’ts for exchanging gifts with co-workers

When among the masses shopping for holiday gifts, consumers might want to take a close look at the expressions on their fellow shoppers’ faces. Note the ones whose eyes are glazed over, who are anxiously biting their bottom lips or seem to be exhibiting recurring facial twitches.

These are not individuals on the verge of a nervous breakdown. In fact, many are otherwise well adjusted people in the throes of choosing holiday gifts for their coworkers or bosses.

While there is nothing inherently complicated about choosing tokens of appreciation for one’s associates or superiors, the challenge is not just choosing the right token, but in choosing something without the potential to offend or confuse the recipient.

To help make the process go smoothly from purchase to presentation, here are some of the chief do’s and don’ts for office gift-giving

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Make sure that you know your company’s policy on gift-giving. For example, are there specified or unstated spending limits?

Be clear about who should be on your gift list. Do you get gifts for everyone in your department or just those individuals with whom you interact most frequently?

Choose thoughtful and tasteful gifts, whether buying a different item for each person or the same item for all.

Consider gifts that can be used in the office, such as distinctive office supplies, a photo frame, gadget,

calendar, or pen.

Go for gifts that can be shared either at home or work, such as gourmet food items, books or plants.

Find out if colleagues have food or plant allergies before selecting gifts in those categories.

Take the time to package and wrap gifts with care.

DON’T Overspend, especially when purchasing a gift for your boss.

Give presents to colleagues outside of your “gift circle” in order to make a good impression or curry favor.

Choose “joke” or “gag” gifts, even for coworkers you think you know well. While the recipient might appreciate the gesture,it could be misinterpreted by others.

Re-gift or give items that are used or in anything but pristine condition.

Stray outside the limits of “good taste.” In other words, don’t even think about gifts that could be considered too personal (including clothing, perfume or jewelry) or are in any way political, religious, racial, or sexual.

And unless you are absolutely certain of the recipient’s tastes and habits, steer clear of alcoholic beverages of any kind.

Give gifts that can be misconstrued as having a hidden meaning or agenda, such as flowers (especially roses), cash, lingerie, or personal hygiene products.

Leave anyone out. Hurt feelings are hard to overcome and can strain otherwise productive working relationships.

Layaway plans

make a Come Back Buying items on layaway gives shoppers the ability to pay in installments without any interest. The concept is once again gaining popularity in many stores.

If you thought layaway plans had gone the way of eight-track players and floppy disks, think again. The deferred payment or installment plan, once popular with budget-conscious consumers — especially during the holiday season — is making a big comeback.

For people who are unfamiliar with the concept or were born after the 1980s (when installment plans gave way to credit card purchases and other types of financing), layaway is a simple way to purchase merchandise — interest-free — over time. Consumers select the items they want to buy from a retailer offering the plan, make a deposit, which often includes a modest service charge, and pay for the merchandise over a specified period. Once the item has been paid in full, the retailer releases the goods to the consumer. The only potential glitch is if the consumer fails to make payments in full or on time. In that event, the retailer has the option of returning the customer’s payments (less service charges) and reselling the items.

While there’s no doubt that today’s shaky economy has contributed to the revival of layaway plans, economists and representatives of several of the nation’s leading retailers and layaway providers — Sears, K-Mart, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Toys R’ Us, and Hallmark — insist that the recession is only part of the story. For retailers, layaway plans open the doors to millions of new customers who would not be able to make purchases without them.

For consumers, paying in installments is increasingly viewed as a sound financial tool for purchasing

necessities and managing expenses, particularly during the holiday season.

Overall, layaway plans are heavy on benefits, including: No fine print: For the most part, retailers’ layaway plans are straightforward and easy to understand.

No credit checks: Credit checks are not required to enter into a layaway contract, making it a great option for people who are trying to rebuild their credit due to foreclosure or past credit card problems.

No need to leave home: Some retailers have launched e-layaway programs, making it possible for consumers to purchase online over time.

There are only a few drawbacks to layaway plans, but they are worth noting: Missed payments: Making payments — and making them on time — is the key to a successful layaway purchase. The penalty for missing payments is the cancellation of the layaway contract. However, most plans offer a seven-day grace period for missed payments. It is important to know the details of each retailer’s plan before signing a contract.

Missed sale prices: For shoppers who count on cashing in on Black Friday sales, layaway might not be an option. Some retailers don’t offer Black Friday prices to layaway customers, so it pays to check with the stores you plan to patronize before the holiday shopping season begins.

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Gifts from bad to worse Great gifts are great for a multitude of reasons, but bad gifts tend to have a lot in common. The worst gifts are not only a poor fit with the recipient’s personality, lifestyle or interests, but also send a negative or critical message. Just plain bad gifts tend to fall into three categories: The useless, the thoughtless and the tasteless. And while the lists of awful items for men and women may be different, they nevertheless fall into one of these diagnostic categories.

If you’re considering purchasing gifts in any of the following four categories for the man or men in your life, think again.

Clothing: While this sounds innocent enough, when the clothes don’t match a man’s style, it can be construed as a suggestion that you don’t like what he wears or want him to up his fashion game. If you don’t have a clue about what the men in your life actually like and will wear, make another choice.

Household bric-a-brac or decorative elements: Items in this category include everything from a new dish rack to artsy décor items. Such items might send a negative message similar to new clothes, and many men are territorial about their homes and resist outside (i.e., female) advice on decorating. So unless you know exactly what he wants or needs, go back to the drawing board.

Sentimental items: What a woman might call “sweet,” a man might want to store in the trash can. If you’re tempted to get your husband or boyfriend that cute teddy bear that reminds you of him, or flannel pajamas printed with those same teddy bears, forget it. And forget the book of syrupy love poetry, romantic movies or T-shirts with sappy sayings. He’ll be glad you did.

Psychology or self-help materials in any form or format: This is perhaps the biggest no-no of them all and sends the biggest “You’re not okay” message. So if you’re tempted to buy your guy a book about improving communication skills, finding a better job or making better use of time, don’t. Enough said.

When gifting women, we should also avoid certain gifts.

Appliances: For most women, household appliances fall under the heading of “need” rather than “want,” unless it is a specialty item that you’re certain she has been yearning for.

Lingerie: The principle here is similar to why clothes are a bad idea for guys, but can lead to far more disastrous outcomes. Many men don’t realize that a gift of lingerie is often accompanied by an unintended message. If it’s too small, she needs to lose weight. If it’s too big, you think she’s fat. If it’s too racy, you don’t think she’s sexy. And if it’s too plain, you don’t think she’s sexy.

Simply stated, unless you know the exact size and type of lingerie she favors or want to ruin any chances of peace on earth during your holiday season, move on.

Jewelry: Here again, unless you know exactly what the woman in your life wants, skip it. Not only is jewelry something that women prefer to choose for themselves, it can send a message (i.e., overly romantic or not romantic enough) that men don’t realize they’re sending.

Gym membership/fitness equipment: The big no-no. Under no circumstances is it wise to present the woman in your life with a gift whose underlying message is “Lose weight” or “Shape up.” The all-time worst gift for women?

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Last Minute Nearly everyone has a last minute holiday shopping horror story to tell. Be it a late-season grab for a child’s must-have gift or fighting fellow procrastinators for a parking spot come the waning days of the season, veteran shoppers have experienced it all.

While those with more experience might know the tricks of the late season shopping trade, novice procrastinators might need a few of the following tips to make it through the season without a horror story of their own.

• Consider online retailers. Shopping online might not be for everyone, but those without much time might want to consider online retailers, many of which guarantee delivery of the item by Christmas Day for orders placed as late as December 20. In addition, some retailers even guarantee delivery if the order is placed by December 22, but such guarantees often require consumers to choose overnight delivery, which can be costly.

When shopping online, if no gifts stand out, consider buying an electronic gift certificate instead. Such certificates can often be delivered directly to a loved one’s e-mail inbox, and it only takes a matter of seconds for the delivery to be made. Though some find this impersonal, nowadays many people would prefer a gift card instead of another sweater.

• Go the food-and-beverage route.

One of the worst things about last minute holiday shopping is dealing with fellow procrastinators at the local mall. Last minute shoppers tend to be as short on patience as they

Shipping Gifts When shipping holiday gifts, much of the focus is on getting those gifts in the mail on time. While it’s important to avoid procrastinating when shipping holiday gifts, there’s more to shipping gifts than just getting them sent out promptly. When shipping holiday gifts this season, consider the following tips.

Ship through an online retailer. Billing address and the shipping address are two different categories when buying from an online retailer, and holiday shoppers should take advantage of a retailer’s willingness to package and ship gifts for you. Many online retailers will even gift-wrap items for you and include a personal note as well.

Protect the gift. For those who won’t be using an online retailer, be sure to protect the gift, especially if it’s fragile. Use bubble cushioning and packing peanuts when sending fragile items through the mail. If sending multiple items, wrap each item tightly in bubble cushioning but leave some space between the items for peanuts.

Carefully pack perishables. When

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are on time. To avoid the malls, last minute shoppers can give the gift of food or drink for those friends or family members you will be seeing during the holiday season. A nice bottle of wine or a collection of gourmet cheeses make thoughtful gifts, and last minute shoppers don’t need to visit the mall to get them.

• Consider a monthly gift. As a nice bottle of wine or a package of gourmet cheeses proves, not all great gifts need to be picked up at the mall. A monthly gift like a magazine subscription or a membership to a monthly club (i.e., “Pastry of the Month”) are gifts that keep on giving all-year. Late-season shoppers will find these options especially appealing as they can almost always be ordered in just a few minutes, whether it’s over the phone or via the Internet.

• Don’t abandon the mall entirely. Though procrastinators are in no danger of becoming extinct, most people do get their holiday shopping done well in advance of Christmas Day. As a result, truly last minute shoppers might find the mall isn’t so crowded on Christmas Eve. While the pickings might be slim for shoppers who wait until December 24, the lines may not be as long and the parking lot probably won’t be as packed. But keep in mind it will be impossible for a gift purchased on Christmas Eve to find its way under a tree unless you personally bring it to a loved one. If you can’t give the gift in person on Christmas, don’t wait until Christmas Eve to buy it.

• Donate in a loved one’s name. If a specific charity is near and dear to a loved one’s heart, make a donation in their name. Charities are among the many organizations that are struggling to survive in the current economy, and your donation might go a long way to helping a cause your loved one truly supports.

more than just timing

sending perishable items, always send them via next-day delivery and never ship them near the end of the week, such as a Friday or Saturday. Items shipped on Friday and Saturday should be able to withstand a few days of being in transit. But when sending cheeses, fruits or any other perishable items, it’s best to do so early in the week and choose next-day delivery.

Insure more expensive gifts. Don’t skimp on insurance when sending expensive gifts such as jewelry through the mail. Shipping companies typically only insure items up to a certain amount, so insure more expensive items through your own insurance company so their full value is covered.

Comparison shop when shipping.

Comparison shopping not only applies to holiday gifts, but shipping as well.

Shipping companies, including the post office, compete for business come the holidays, and you can likely find a good deal to reduce the cost of shipping holiday gifts, costs that can add up if shipping several gifts.

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A Quick Guide to

Gift Giving Etiquette Deciding on and paying for holiday gifts can be a challenge under the best circumstances. But then there are the inevitable “sticky situations” that can leave even the most experienced gift-givers scratching their heads. In the hopes of dodging major gift gaffes this holiday season, here are eight tips for gracious giving and receiving.

• Review your gift list each year to determine if any relationships have changed and require a shift in your giftgiving plan.

• Don’t ask non-family members on your gift list what they would like. This not only spoils the surprise, but puts pressure on recipients to gauge how much you want to spend and requires them to get you something in return.

• Don’t feel obligated to match what others spend. Buying gifts based on what others spend is both unnecessary and can lead to excessive expenditures.

• For workplace gifts, adhere to the company’s policies and make sure that gifts are given out of appreciation, not expectation.

• Including a gift receipt is a good idea and avoids potentially awkward situations when an item doesn’t fit or doesn’t work.

• Give holiday tips to those individuals whose service you count on throughout the year, such as hairstylists, babysitters, dog walkers, etc. An easy rule of thumb for holiday season tips is to double the usual tip. For household employees, give

one week’s pay.

• If someone surprises you with a gift, the best bet is to respond honestly. Let the giver know that you are surprised, touched and appreciative as well as a bit embarrassed that you don’t have a gift in return. Then let it go and add his/her name to your gift list for the following year.

• Don’t arrive at holiday gatherings empty-handed. A small gift, bottle of wine or contribution to the evening’s edibles is the right way to thank your hosts for their invitation.

• Acknowledging gift givers is a must, but formal, written thank you cards are optional. While handwritten notes are always preferable and greatly appreciated, e-mails are increasingly acceptable — especially for young people.

• Regifting is now considered a (mostly) acceptable practice, as long as it’s done thoughtfully, tastefully and within the following guidelines: - The regifted item should not be homemade or made especially for you.

- The item should be new, unused and in its original packaging, along with instructions.

- Be sure to remove all previous wrapping and gift tags.

- Don’t regift to friends or family members who have a reputation for returning things they don’t like. You don’t want to be asked for a gift receipt.

- Make certain that the original giver and the new recipient will never cross paths.

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How to plan a

Successful

Office Holiday Party

Holiday office parties are a tradition at many businesses across the country. These parties can vary greatly depending on the size of the company, the resources allocated for the festivities and the participation level among the employees.

The parties can also vary in how their invitees view these end-of-year festivities. Some companies throw parties their employees would just as soon pass on, while other business treat their workers to the party of the year. Office party planners hoping this year’s event is closer to the party of the year than one nobody wants to attend should consider a host of factors before getting started.

Timing

The timing of the office holiday party is a key factor in how successful it will be. Since most parties are in the month of December, it’s best to aim for earlier in the month. By the end of December, guests might be too exhausted to have a good time or may have already planned their holiday vacations and be unable to make it. The closer the party is to Christmas and the end of the year, the less likely it is that all invitees will be able to attend.

Another timing concern is clients. Many businesses include clients on their holiday party guest lists as a gesture of appreciation for their loyalty. By choosing a date that’s earlier in the month, party planners are increasing the chances their clients can make it and won’t be forced to miss the event due to their own office party commitments. Settle on a few dates early in the month and then ask employees which they’re most amenable to.

Finances

Finances should also dictate certain aspects of the holiday party. If the com-

pany is paying for everything, be sure to verify a budget with the accounting department before shopping around for caterers, locations, etc.

If the office party will require some financial contribution from employees (such as paying for spouses or significant others), keep that in mind, too. Employees will of course be less enthusiastic about a holiday party if they have to contribute considerable funds toward the event.

Location

Location is another key consideration for party planners. No one wants to travel far and wide for an office party, so it helps to choose a locale that is centrally located and convenient for everyone. Unless the company is one where most workers telecommute, chances are employees will be comfortable with a location that’s close to the office itself since workers make the trip to that neighborhood anyway.

Safety

Safety is a genuine concern at holiday office parties. Much of that concern can be traced to alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, many employees overindulge with alcohol at holiday office parties. With stress a concern for many during the holiday season, alcohol consumption is incorrectly viewed as a means to relieving that stress.

But many businesses have banned alcohol from such parties, be it the result of local host laws or simply out of concern for their employees’ safety. When planning the party, be aware of the alcohol policy. If the policy is no alcohol allowed, there’s no need to worry. If alcohol is allowed, arrange for complimentary transportation for anyone who might overindulge and prove unfit to drive.

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Let it Snow, Let it Snow Let it Snow Dreaming of a white Christmas? Many people look forward to new-fallen snow to add to the picture of the holiday season. How many, though, give thought to how snow actually forms?

Snowflakes are ice crystals that form in the clouds. Water vapor freezes and clings to the dust particles in the air. As the crystals group together, they form snowflakes.

Snowflakes are hexagonal crystals, meaning they always have six sides. Snowflakes can grow in different forms, including columns, needles, plates, dendrites, columns with plates, and irregular shapes. Complex shapes emerge as the flake moves through differing temperatures and humidity levels.

When snowflakes melt and refreeze they may come down from the sky in the form of a ball instead of a flake. These are known as graupel.

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Snowflakes are unique in that no two are the same. Because they are ice crystals, they are also clear in color. However, when gathered on the surface of roadways or other items, they collectively reflect the light and give off that white hue.

A snowflake is often the universal symbol for winter or wintertime conditions. In Russia, people have long made paper snowflakes during the Christmas season and hung them in the windows. A snowflake also was the symbol of the winter olympics in 2002.

Although snowflakes are cold, snow can actually act as an insulator. The intricate shapes of snowflakes trap air in between the flakes as they pile up. These tiny pockets of air prevent air from circulating, thus preventing heat from being transferred by convection.

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Find the Right Fit for everyone on

(MS) -- With the holidays upon us, shoppers across the country are once again agonizing over what to get their family and friends. While holiday shopping once consisted of a necktie for Dad, a comfy robe for Mom and some toys for the kids, today’s holiday shopping list is much more complicated than that.

Each and every family or circle of friends has its own unique identity, and each member within those groups is his or her own individual. For those with a holiday shopping list on which no two people are the same, consider the following gift ideas to ensure everyone on your list enjoys a happy holiday season.

The Techie

What do you get your gadget-obsessed friend or relative this year?

Oftentimes, when it comes to gifting a tech-savvy relative, it helps to go with something new. This holiday season, SANYO’s Full HD Pocket-size Dual Camera, VPC-PD2, complete with embedded software for easy use and sharing on social networks, figures to be the talk of the town among techies.

The only camera of its kind to offer full HD video, 10 MP photos and 3x optical zoom, the new Pocket Dual Camera (www.us.sanyo.com/Dual-Cameras) makes it a snap to shoot, connect, view, and share both videos and photos on popular social networking sites, including YouTube, Facebook and Picassa.

The camera’s dual microphones record stereo sound with the same technology found in SANYO’s professional sound recorders.

The Busy Woman On-The-Go

Today’s woman is busier and more on-the-go than ever before. LJE Designs’ Lauren Joy Handbags (www.laurenjoyhandbags.com) help fashion forward women save time with an interchangeable handbag system that enables them to transform one bag into many looks to match any outfit.

“Every woman has left the house with a bag that didn’t match her outfit because she didn’t have the extra 10 minutes -- or has swapped bags only to realize she left her wallet or something else she needed in the other purse,” says Didem Ellermeyer, founder and creative director of LJE Designs, LLC. “With

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Lauren Joy Handbags, you never have to sacrifice time for fashion, or fashion for time. It’s the best of both worlds.”

With Lauren Joy Handbags, women can transform a bag’s entire look in a matter of seconds, without ever having to transfer purse contents from one bag to another. Women simply use one highquality core bag, then mix, match and play by adding, removing or combining attractive accessories to create an unlimited number of different looks.

The Wine Lover

Few hobbies taste as good as developing an affinity and knowledge of the wines of the world. With their masses growing, wine connoisseurs have now infiltrated families across the country. This holiday season, shoppers can give the wine lover on their list the latest innovative solution to wine storage.

Vynebar (www.vynebar.com) is ideal for anyone who loves great wine and appreciates sleek, modern design.

Crafted from a solid sheet of anodized aluminum, the Vynebar vertical wine storage system can be engraved with images, monograms or company logos and provides a great opportunity for wine enthusiasts to turn their wine collection into a stunning work of art, all without taking up much space.

“I wanted to show off my favorite wines in a fairly limited space,” says creator Jason Bevis. “It also turned out to be a great conversation piece.”

The Environmentalist

Speaking of popular trends, arguably nothing is growing as fast as the go green movement. This year, shoppers can put a smile on their favorite environmentalist’s face with Xoopii’s eco-fashionable, reusable totes and bags, available in two unique styles and roomy and durable enough to carry groceries and stylish enough to take along to the beach.

Xoopii’s Yorkii bags are extra-large reusable tote bags that fold up so small they fit inside pockets, purses, glove compartments, and, of course, Christmas stockings.

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Customers and Clients

Of course, no holiday shopping list is complete without customers and clients. The holiday season is a time for businesses to show just how much they appreciate their customers and clients, and how much they look forward to working with them in the year ahead.

Branded gifts from The Brandmarket (www. thebrandmarket.com) are bought in bulk and allow businesses to carry goodwill with their clients, customers and colleagues into the New Year. Messages expressing holiday goodwill and appreciation can be laser-engraved on a host of products ranging from versatile kitchenware to relaxing spa products tailor-made to relieve the stress of the holiday season -- and everything in between. What’s more, no gift idea is too intricate or creative, including a toaster that can emblazon a corporate logo on toast, waffles and pancakes, epitomizing The Brandmarket’s “You Name it, We Brand It” mantra.

When it comes to holiday shopping, finding the right fit is never as easy as it should be. But when steered in the right direction, holiday shoppers can ensure the important people in their lives remember this holiday season for years to come.

Christmas

Tree Debate

People have firm beliefs on what’s better for the holidays: a natural tree from the nearby tree farm or an artificial tree purchased at the store. Proponents for both side haves their share of opinions regarding which is more environmentally friendly or fiscally responsible.

Christmas celebrants who want to veer away from the argument completely can select a live tree (with roots intact) for their tree of choice this year.

Christmas trees that can be planted afterward are easily found at lawn and garden retailers or from the very same tree farms from which trees can be hewn. Chances are the tree is already packaged in a large pot, to make transport a little easier. A homeowner who is considering a live tree will have to decide where the tree will be planted afterward and plan for that location as soon as possible.

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That’s because it can be particularly difficult to dig a large hole in which to plant a tree when the ground is thoroughly frozen. Laying the groundwork for the hole in advance will make post-Christmas planting possible.

Tree experts say that a live tree should not exceed 5 feet in height. Larger, more mature trees can have difficulty acclimating to transplanting and may go into shock.

Try to keep the tree outdoors as much as possible and only have it indoors to decorate for a maximum of 2 weeks, otherwise the warm, indoor temperatures may mimic spring and bring the tree out of dormancy. When getting ready to transplant the tree outside, transition it back to the cold by keeping it in the garage for a few days before moving outside.

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Six Strategies for tranquil

Holiday Travel Flying late evening or during the week are strategies for saving money and preventing holiday travel stress.

Traveling during the holiday season is a mixed blessing. School vacations and time off from work provide great opportunities to spend a “White Christmas” with faraway family and friends or sneak in an end-of-year getaway via “The Polar Express.” At the same time, holiday travel can be both expensive and stressful. While it’s all but impossible to avoid the costs and crowds completely, with these timehonored travel strategies, travelers can prevent “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and find yourself uttering, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Book now, go later. The first rule of thumb for holiday travel is to make travel plans as far in advance as possible. By booking months ahead of your departure date, you can lock in lower airfares and seat assignments. For Christmas travel, make every effort to purchase tickets by early October.

Go off-peak. Weekend travel, which often includes Fridays and Mondays, is almost always more expensive than travel during the week. If possible, schedule both departing and returning flights for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Timing is everything. Typically, there is less demand for the first and last flights of the day, which means less competition for seats and the possibility of lower fares.

If you can fly on the big day itself, even better. While you may be able to snag great deals on Thanksgiving or Christmas day flights, January 1st tends to be a more popular travel day. Another option? Plan your trip for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, when many travelers have already settled in their destinations.

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Be flexible. If you know you want to get away, but aren’t sure where to go, let availability and price be your guide. And don’t forget to check flights to and from alternate airports. For example, you may be able to save on a flight to San Francisco by flying into San Jose. And when heading to the New York City area, flights to LaGuardia and JFK might be less expensive than those bound for Newark.

Mix and match. Great deals can be had by using different carriers for incoming and outgoing flights or by booking two one-way flights rather than a round-trip. By checking a variety of sites — including both individual airlines and aggregator sites such as kayak.com and bookingbuddy.com, which search several different travel sites simultaneously — you can rest assured that you got the best available prices and flights. In addition, by booking flights, hotels and rental cars through the same travel site, be it a single site or a travel aggregator, you may be able to score even better deals.

Don’t dodge the details. These days, airlines are once again charging passengers for a variety of items that were once included in their posted airfares. Be sure to note whether a published airfare includes all taxes and fees and check each carrier’s baggage policy. And when reviewing airfares, make sure that you are comparing “apples to apples.” In other words, be certain that the two airfares both include or exclude taxes, fees and baggage charges, snacks, and things like upgrade fees for additional legroom.

Do delay! Sometimes waiting until the eleventh hour isn’t such a bad idea, especially when last-minute fares can save you money or open the door to a spur-ofthe-moment vacation.

Holiday Safety

for Pets

While people are ho-ho-ho-ing and hustling and bustling, pets may not be as enamored with the holiday season as their human counterparts. That’s because, amid the blur of activities that fill the season, there are potential sources of stress and dangers to pets.

What can be so dangerous about holiday festivities and decorations? A lot, according to veterinarians and pet advocacy experts. The ASPCA, among other groups, warns of the toxic items and unhealthy treats that abound this time of year.

Approximately 1,300 people are treated each year in emergency rooms for injuries related to holiday lights. Another 6,200 are treated for injuries related to holiday decorations and Christmas trees. These injuries are occurring to people who know better. Just think about the pets that do not understand the dangers around them. Pet parents have to be responsible for their animals’ safety, too.

Know What’s Toxic

Everything from snow globes to tinsel can wreak havoc on pets’ delicate intestinal systems. Many holiday plants, like holly and poinsettia, contain oils that can be fatal to pets if consumed. Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which is well known as toxic to pets. Snow sprays and snow flock contain chemicals that can be irritants if inhaled or consumed. Tinsel and pine needles can cause choking and intestinal obstruction if consumed by smaller animals, like cats and rodents.

Decorating Dangers

Decorative glassware, trinkets and other breakables can prove hazardous to animals. Inquisitive dogs and cats may break glass ornaments and be cut by shards of glass. It’s easy for lit candles to be knocked over and even Christmas trees to be

pulled down by boisterous pets. Water kept in Christmas tree stands and other decor may harbor harmful microorganisms or chemicals that become dangerous if lapped up. Cords and lights may look like chew toys to rodents, dogs and cats, who can become electrocuted or strangled while investigating.

Goodie Gluttony

Many pets have stolen a piece of people food from here or there or have been offered some table scraps. There are some items that can be dangerous during the holidays and year round. Beware of feeding pets fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, poultry bones, chocolate, and alcohol. These items can cause illnesses from vomiting and diarrhea to highly serious pancreatitis and other toxic reactions. Remove trash from the house regularly while entertaining to ensure pets don’t get inside of garbage cans and trash bags to steal scraps. When eating, keep pets out of the dining area and maintain a close eye on scavengers who might leap for dishes at the edges of tables. Gifts, like food baskets and boxes of chocolates, should be kept out of reach of pets. Buy pet-safe treats this time of year to reward animals so they will not be inclined to steal snacks.

Holiday Stress

Having a houseful of people can be stressful on pets who are not used to the company. Talk with a veterinarian to see if a mild sedative or anti-anxiety medication might be helpful. Otherwise, keep pets contained in a quiet room away from guests if they are prone to skittishness. Try to keep feeding and watering schedules consistent so the pets will have the comfort of their routines. Be sure to spend time with the animals so they are not feeling neglected while you’re running here and there.

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Safety First

when stringing

Holiday Lights Perhaps no holiday tradition is more visible than decorative lights. Whether on the house or on the tree in the front picture window, holiday lights help create a festive mood for all.

While aesthetically appealing, holiday lighting displays can also be quite dangerous. Older lights or poorly planned lighting projects can quickly turn tragic. However, this much beloved holiday tradition does not have to cease and desist. Instead, some simple safety precautions are all it takes to ensure this year’s lighting display is both stunning and safe.

• Make sure exterior lights are designed for outdoor use. Not all lights can handle the elements, so those old Christmas tree lights might not be able to enjoy a second life as part of a home’s exterior lighting decor.

• Plug lights directly into the electrical sockets rather than relying heavily on extension cords.

Employ surge protector strips if there are not enough outlets available. Before plugging anything in, con-

sult the fuse box to determine how much each circuit can safely handle.

• Don’t use damaged lighting sets, including those with frayed strings, unstable connections, exposed wires, or broken or cracked sockets.

• Make sure all external lights are securely attached. Wind can do significant damage to bulbs, which can lead to additional safety risks. As a precaution, attach all lights firmly to walls or anything else that will not blow away when a stiff wind arrives.

• Inside the home, be extra careful when using an artificial Christmas tree. Electric lights should never be used on a metallic tree.

• Routinely check all cords’ temperatures. If a cord feels too hot, unplug it and find a replacement.

• Don’t leave the lights on when no adults are home. If the home is empty or if just kids are home,

make sure the lights are off. Avoid using timers that automatically turn the lights on, as it’s possible they will turn on when no one is home. Unplug all cords when going away for the holidays just to be safe.

• Make sure all cords are visible. Don’t bury cords underneath rugs or floor mats to avoid personal injuries.

• Hanging lights shouldn’t be a solo project.

Whether hanging lights inside or outside, never do so alone. A stiff wind might come along and blow the ladder away or an unstable ladder might lead to a fall. Accidents happen when hanging lights indoors as well, so make sure to have an adult partner on hand to avoid injury.

• Make sure kids cannot reach lighting displays.

Kids often adore holiday lighting displays and their natural curiosity is to reach for lights. Avoid potential accidents by keeping lights well beyond the reach of children.

Sweet Facts

Candy canes are very popular holiday treats and are often used to decorate Christmas trees. That hooked shape certainly makes them whimsical and able to hang on tree boughs. But candy canes weren’t always the curved and colorful treats they are today. In the 1700s, candy canes were nothing more than straight white sticks of sugar candy used to decorate Christmas trees. A choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral decided that having the ends bent to depict a shepherd’s crook and passing them out during church services would help keep children quiet.

It was not until roughly the 20th century that candy canes acquired their red stripes. Some surmise that the candy cane is shaped like a shepherd’s crook to represent Jesus Christ, who tended to his flock of supporters.

Others say that it’s a “J” for Jesus. Regardless of their shape, hundreds of thousands of candy canes are now manufactured and shipped for the holiday season each year.

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Tipping point

Who to tip

during the holidays Come the holiday season, most people find themselves in a giving mood. Gifting friends, family and even coworkers is common, but there are many other people in our daily lives who societal norms suggest deserve a gift as well.

Holiday tipping is more common in certain areas than others, but there are a few questions men and women can ask themselves when trying to decide if a person in their lives deserves a holiday tip or gift.

How often do you see the person?

How frequently you see a person can help determine if that person deserves a holiday gift or tip. For example, a child’s babysitter or nanny deserves a little something extra come the holidays because you likely see that person on a regular basis. The same goes for the postman or a dog walker. Men and women you rarely see or rarely need do not warrant a tip or gift.

Where do you live?

Where a person lives also goes a long way toward determining a holiday tip or gift. People who live in apartments should show their appreciation to the doorman and building superintendent with a tip or gift. Homeowners need not tip their local handyman, however, even if he performs the same tasks as a building superintendent. Homeowners tend to do more of their own fix-ups around the house, while

apartment dwellers often rely on the super to keep their apartment in tip-top shape.

Is the person a professional?

Men and women who provide professional services, such as accountants, lawyers and doctors, do not warrant a tip during the holidays. These professionals are already paid handsomely for their services, and many might even gift their customers. For those who have an especially strong relationship with their accountant, lawyer, etc., perhaps a gift such as a bottle of wine might be a nice gesture. But it’s certainly not mandatory.

Did the person go above and beyond?

Of course, there are no ironclad rules when it comes to tipping or gifting others during the holidays. For example, many people don’t find it necessary to tip their auto mechanic come the holidays for the same reasons you wouldn’t tip an attorney. Both are already well compensated, and an extra tip is not necessary. However, if your auto mechanic saved your car from the scrap heap or provided service that is above and beyond what you have a right to expect, then perhaps a tip or a thoughtful gift is in order.

When the holiday season arrives, generosity often reigns. But men and women should not feel obligated to tip or gift every person in their lives.

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Credit Crunch Managing Credit Cards During the Holidays

The holiday season is synonymous with many things. Among those things is holiday shopping. Some people revel in holiday shopping, while others would just as soon never see a mall again the rest of their lives.

Regardless of where men and women stand on holiday shopping, an essential element to a successful shopping season is managing money wisely.

For most consumers, that means using credit cards in a way that won’t leave them with a mountain of bills come January. This holiday season, consider the following suggestions to ensure your holiday shopping doesn’t come back to haunt you when all those bills are due after the New Year.

• Don’t start spending until you have devised a repayment plan. Particularly during the holidays, consumers tend to spend first and worry about payments later.

However, this is a dangerous approach. Before spending a dime, have a plan to pay bills already in place. This helps shoppers avoid going over budget and finding themselves in a nightmare come January when the bills are due. When devising a plan, be as specific as possible, such as setting a February 1 deadline to pay off all credit cards. The more specific you can be, the more likely the plan is going to be successful.

• Beware of retailer credit cards. Retailer credit cards entice customers during the holiday season, typically offering 10 percent back on the first purchase after applying and receiving the card. While this entices many consumers to sign on the dotted line, shoppers should know retail credit cards often come with high interest rates.

For shoppers who plan to carry a balance, these interest rates can add up, negating the benefit of that 10 percent discount at the register. If a retail credit card offers a reasonable interest rate or something like 18 months with no interest on more

expensive purchases, then it might be worth considering. But for the most part consumers are better off simply paying full price and not signing up for a card they don’t need just to save an extra 10 percent.

• Be careful when using multiple cards. Using several cards tends to give consumers a false sense of security. Consumers who use multiple credit cards during the holidays often feel this keeps them from piling up a massive balance on one card.

However, the best strategy is to simply use the card that boasts the best interest rate.

• Know your balance and where you stand. A holiday shopping spree can quickly grow out of control, but shoppers must know their balances at all times. Exceeding the balance typically results in hefty penalties, and those penalties are something most shoppers simply can’t afford during the often costly holiday season. If one card is maxed out, shoppers might want to cease their holiday spending altogether.

A financial situation in which a person is carrying a maxed-out credit card is never ideal, and shoppers should not dig themselves a deeper hole by spending more on top of that. Instead, they can work toward paying down the balance and spending less on holiday gifts.

• Use credit cards when buying gifts online. One positive way to use credit cards when holiday shopping is to use them when buying gifts online. Credit cards offer consumers more protection against fraudulent purchases than debit cards, so consumers should always use credit cards when shopping online.

The holiday season is a fun time of year, but consumers can quickly spoil their season if they aren’t responsible when using credit cards to make their holiday purchases.

Staple of Holiday

Decor has a Deep History

Chances are, holiday revelers will find themselves underneath the mistletoe at least once this holiday season. While they might know what to do when that time comes, they might not know the history of that plant above their heads.

Especially sacred to Celtic Druids, mistletoe was believed to bestow life and fertility, while also protecting against poison and serving as an aphrodisiac.

Mistletoe would later take on a more political meaning, as the ritual of cutting the mistletoe came to symbolize the emasculation of the old king by his successor.

Nowadays, mistletoe is typically hung in doorways or entryways from one room to another. This tradition can also trace itself back several centuries to the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages, branches of mistletoe were

28 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

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hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits.

Throughout Europe, mistletoe was placed over doorways in the house as well as the stables as a means to preventing the entrance of witches.

The tradition of kissing underneath the mistletoe likely stems from the belief that mistletoe bestows fertility and is often associated with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, a period of merrymaking that pre-dated Christmas. In 18th century England, a young lady standing underneath the mistletoe could not refuse to be kissed. Once kissed, the kiss would signify deep romance or eternal friendship.

History also suggests that mistletoe was a symbol of peace. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace. When standing underneath the mistletoe, enemies could declare a truce and spouses could end any marital turmoil with a kiss.

Origins of a

Holiday Staple The thick, spiced drink we know as eggnog has become synonymous with the holidays. It is so linked with the Christmas season that a person may be hard-pressed to find it sold in the supermarket any other time of the year. But eggnog wasn’t always the holiday beverage it has become.

Eggnog is believed to have originated in 17th century Europe, primarily as a drink for the elite, since the ingredients in the beverage were hard to come by and thusly relegated to the very rich.

There are different theories on the origins of the word eggnog itself. Some believe it has gotten its name from the Old English word “nog,” which meant “strong beer.” The “egg” refers to one of the ingredients in the beverage, fresh eggs. Others surmise that it comes from the word “noggin,” which was a vessel for serving drinks in taverns. The drink was called “egg in a noggin,” which was shortened to “eggnog.”

Still, there are others who say its name is derived from the term “grog,” which was another term for booze. “Egg n’ grog” was eventually abbreviated to “eggnog.”

Although there is little certainty to the origins of the name, the recipe for eggnog has essentially remained unchanged throughout the centuries. It consists of beaten eggs, cream or milk and sugar mixed with some sort of alcoholic spirit. The Old English were believed to mix it with wine, though once the drink was brought to the New World, colonists substituted rum

for the wine. Rum was readily available through tradesman running between the Americas and the Caribbean and therefore less expensive than another spirit. As America grew and eggnog was enjoyed in different parts of the country, the rum was replaced with regional spirits, including bourbon or grain alcohol. Other ingredients were also added to give it a customized flavor.

However, the use of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves has become traditional flavors for the holiday brew.

Although eggnog is widely enjoyed throughout the holiday season, in the past it was served at special events and social occasions. As a warmed beverage it can easily chase away winter’s chill. This is how it may have come to be enjoyed primarily during the holidays.

Love it or hate it, eggnog is a drink that can evoke strong feelings of the holidays within minutes. There are variations of eggnog sold commercially, but many people swear by homemade versions for their taste and authenticity.

Try your own homemade eggnog with this recipe, courtesy of Cooks.com.

HOLIDAY EGGNOG (SPIRITED) • 1 dozen eggs • 1 pound powdered sugar • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup vanilla

• 8 cups evaporated milk • 3 cups water • 1 quart spiced rum • Nutmeg, to garnish

Beat eggs until light in color, gradually add sugar, salt and vanilla. Then add milk and water. Stir in rum (brandy, bourbon or rye may also be used). Cover the nog and ripen for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Stir again and serve sprinkled with nutmeg

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Host a merry, memorable

Holiday Party

The holidays are the most festive time of the year, and no holiday season is complete without a party or two with family and friends. Be it to celebrate a religious holiday or to ring in the New Year, a holiday party is an essential element to the holiday season.

While it’s always great to be a guest, hosting a holiday party is a great way to show friends and family how much they mean to you. This holiday season, consider the following tips to ensure your holiday party is as memorable as the season is merry.

Such sing-alongs might become especially memorable once guests have a glass or two of eggnog in them. * Host a holiday giveaway. Though it can be fun to do a Secret Santa, chances are guests already have enough gifts to buy. But hosts can spice things up with a holiday giveaway that rewards guests. Host a holiday-themed round of Trivial Pursuit or a holiday movie trivia game that encourages guests to compete for prizes. Prizes can be small and inexpensive, but guests will be sure to enjoy some friendly competition for holiday-themed prizes.

* Make it a themed party. The holiday season is filled with festivities, from office parties to neighborhood gatherings to gatherings with family. For more casual affairs, set your party apart with a theme. For example, a Christmas sweater party, where each guest wears a Christmas sweater, can be a fun way to excite guests and inspire a few laughs. Give a prize to the guest with the most ornate sweater. If sweaters aren’t your thing, then encourage guests to dress up like some favorite holiday characters, including Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman or even Rudolph.

* Don’t be afraid to take it outside. For those who live in regions with significant snowfall, consider inviting guests outside to have some fun in the snow. While fun in the snow is often left to the kids, don’t assume adults won’t enjoy building some snowmen or a good old fashioned snowball fight in the backyard. If outdoor fun is going to be on the docket, be sure to remind guests to dress appropriately. And make sure there’s plenty of hot chocolate ready once everyone goes back inside to warm up.

* Don’t forget the holiday fare. Just like parties are a staple of the holiday season, so, too, are certain foods and types of music. Few people indulge in some eggnog outside of the holiday season, so make sure there’s plenty of eggnog on hand. And don’t forget the gingerbread cookies, either. As people enjoy holiday goodies, make sure they do so with holiday music playing in the background. Choose songs that guests know and to which they can sing along.

* Prearrange transportation home for guests. A successful holiday party is one that is safe, so be sure to prearrange travel home for guests just in case anyone overindulges in holiday cheer. When sending out invitations, seek volunteers to be designated drivers, and avoid drinking alcohol yourself. For larger parties, call a local taxi service and arrange for a couple of cabs to be on call when the party ends.

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