Turn down the stress, crank up the joy While there is no definitive quick fix for the stress most of us experience at the holidays, we can start by reining in expectations and keeping things simple. For instance, instead of letting holiday gift-giving make you fret and break your budget, why not craft some fragrant, low-cost, guilt-free gifts that nurture body and soul? Gifts from the heart, made with your hands, are much more meaningful to both the recipient and the giver.

Gift cards make the perfect present this holiday season Tired of spending way too much on holiday gifts that end up shoved in the back of the recipient's closet? Still blushing after buying a size 14 for your size 8 cousin last year? Dread the idea of your thoughtful present ending up regifted? This year try giving everyone on your list - from the do-it-yourselfer to the one who has everything - just what they want while saving time and sticking to your budget.

Savvy advice for gift shopping, handling 'hidden' holiday costs You're a smart holiday shopper - in fact, you planned your holiday gift budget months ago and have been putting money aside in a separate account ever since. In the midst of your savvy shopper planning, however, did you overlook the "hidden costs" associated with getting through the holidays?

Holiday gift-giving unwrapped The most important part of giving a gift is the thought behind it. Consider skipping the malls this holiday season and instead create some homemade holiday presents that will save you money and add meaning to the wrapped packages you hand out to family and friends.

Holiday shopping: Don't forget your wallet ... or your research The weather is turning colder. Bright lights and decorations abound. Your relatives are dropping hints on what they want to see under the tree. The holidays are quickly coming upon us ... and that means it's time to shop.

Savvy shopping tips for a stress-free holiday season 'Tis the season to be shopping. And, as holiday shopping lists continue to grow with family, friends, co-workers and even teachers to buy gifts for, it's important to be a smart shopper and not only stretch your dollars but also find quality gifts for everyone on your list.

Give the gift of safety along with that fantastic flat screen Once the wrapping paper is off and the "oohs" and "aahs" are over, be sure to talk safety with the gratified recipient of a shiny, new flat screen. Flat screen TVs, like other types of heavy furniture, need to be properly secured for safety.

What's in a name? A great gift idea, that's what Ah, the monogram - is there any more definitive statement of personalization and ownership - not to mention class - than the artistic rendering of one's name or initials on a gift? Truly, a monogram can elevate the most mundane gift to a sublime level of personalization.

Warm feet, warm hearts make for a cheery holiday season The holidays tend to bring out the best in people. It's this time of year that you find smiling volunteers collecting donations on street corners of nearly every city in America. Their charitable spirit allows those less fortunate to celebrate and share in the holiday cheer.

The surprising hidden costs of holiday shopping - and how to beat them As we head into this holiday season, shoppers will start to plan their holiday gift lists, hit the stores and start shopping. Getting the most for your holiday shopping dollars this year will not only be about sticking to a budget, but managing valuable time to spend on shopping for the holidays.

Have a savvy and smart holiday Planning ahead and being smart about your purchases is the key to brightening your holiday shopping experience.

Save money while holiday shopping Americans will spend $682.74 on holiday shopping this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That is down about $20 from last year's average spending. And two-thirds of Americans also report that the economy is causing them to spend less this holiday season. But the good news is that people will be shopping sales and discounts this year, according to the NRF, and one way to find great deals is using online coupons.

This year, make your toy shopping list work harder With family budgets a little tighter this year, many parents may be taking a closer look at their children's toy lists. You still want to put smiles on their faces and build holiday memories, but you also want to make wise choices with lasting value.

Savvy shoppers turn to creative handmade gifts The holiday season is fast approaching - a time when thoughts turn to families, friends, holiday get-togethers and gift-giving. For many consumers, remembering the special people in their lives is an important part of the holiday season, but they face the same dilemma every year when searching for "the perfect gift" - finding something that's meaningful and original, yet low in cost.

Gift ideas for the fitness fans on your list What do you get the fitness fans on your holiday shopping list? Candy and fruitcake probably aren't good gifts, since they're likely watching their diets. Clothing is difficult, since getting the style and size right can be tricky. Exercise-related gifts might be the perfect solution, and fortunately there are plenty of ways you can tie your gift giving into a fitness fan's lifestyle.

Wine is a gift of flavor, knowledge Is there a person on your holiday gift list who has always wanted to become a little more cultured about wine? Perhaps he or she has attended several wine tasting events to sample different styles - just to pique his or her interest even more.

On a budget this holiday season? Luxury gifts you can afford Mom, sister, daughter, wife - they're all special women in your life and you want to get them luxury gifts this holiday season. But your budget is limiting your spending. You can do luxury without spending the big bucks on beautiful gifts. All it takes is a little creativity and a good eye for quality.

Dazzle your guests with holiday etiquette tips 101 You've spent the entire day cooking the perfect holiday feast. But it's an hour before your guests arrive, and you find yourself standing in front of the table, listening to a little nagging voice in your head.

A gift of jewelry for special women in your life You probably have some important women to shop for this season - maybe a wife or daughter, your mom or sister. Need some ideas? Think jewelry.

How to make picture-perfect holiday gifts As the holiday season approaches, people soon will be making out their annual gift lists. More than ever, people are searching for gifts that are the most personal and meaningful - without breaking the bank. Many turn to capturing their family memories - new and old, and this often begins with photographs.

How to pick the perfect book gift this holiday season Books are the perfect balance between personalized and universal, fun and intelligent. Your gift recipient doesn't have to be a book lover to love the book you give, as long as you put some thought into selecting just the right tome.

Finding a gift that fits When shopping for gifts this holiday season, remember the phrases "less is more," and "quality over quantity." With clothing and apparel the most popular holiday gifts from year to year, it's important in this economy to be a smart shopper.

Are e-cards for you this holiday season? You know the old drill. Weeks before the holidays begin you shop for the perfect card or pose for your annual family photo to grace your season's greetings. Today there is another option: For those of us with no time left to spare, the lure of e-cards is beginning to change the way we reach out to one another.

Top 7 reasons to consider a netbook this holiday season The holiday shopping season is just around the corner and technology gadgets are always popular items for holiday giving. Netbooks have been getting a lot of press lately and are sure to be high up on many people's wish lists.

5 ways to save money this holiday season Purchasing holiday gifts and hosting seasonal family gatherings around the dinner table can add up quickly. Saving money is a top priority for many families this year, and there are more ways than ever to save money during the holiday season.

Moms: save energy this holiday season As a mom, you understand how busy this time of year leading up to the holidays can be. Running around with school activities, working, planning parties, keeping the house and family organized and under control, squeezing in time to run the weekly errands and holiday shopping - it's not always easy.

Keep the pressure off holiday shopping The holiday shopping season can be hectic, and this year, finding good deals on gifts is important. Here are some tips to make your shopping season a little easier, and cheaper.

Great gifts for the holiday season The holiday season is quickly approaching and your shopping list is filled with loved ones awaiting the perfect gift. However, finding the right gift can be a daunting task when each person has a unique set of qualities and interests. Shorten your shopping time with this list of products that are sure to create smiles this holiday season.

Handmade crafts are the ultimate customized holiday decor Increased enthusiasm for handmade items may well be the latest good by-product of troubled economic times.

Hi-tech holidays: technology gifts dominate this year's shopping lists The holiday season is officially underway and consumers will be hitting the stores to shop for their loved ones. Hot on holiday wish lists this year - technology.

This holiday, give a gift that gives back Gift cards will be the most requested gift this year, with nearly 55 percent of consumers reporting they would like to receive a gift card this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Each year, 70 percent of consumers purchase a gift card as a holiday gift and for the fifth year in a row, gift cards are expected to lead holiday purchases.

Save some green while living green during the holidays Many people perceive a high cost associated with a "green" lifestyle. However, this holiday season, you can embrace eco-friendly living while actually saving money.

Save on spending, not on cheer: ways to stretch your holiday dollars Americans will spend more than 3 percent less this year on holiday shopping, according to research by the National Retail Federation (NRF). Shoppers will also be looking for more sales and bargains, the NRF's survey suggests. If you're one of this season's more frugal shoppers, here are some tips for getting the out of your family's holiday shopping dollars.

Useful gifts for everyone on your list Tired of the same old, same old when it comes to buying holiday gifts? Not looking forward to playing the usual retail game -- running out to shop, waiting in long lines for questionable discounts on generic items, then resorting to purchasing useless gifts out of sheer panic and lack of time?

Make your gift personal this holiday Instead of digging through racks of sale items or fighting the crowd at a midnight store opening this year, why not turn your holiday gifts into donations for organizations and charities in honor of the person you're gifting?

Smart gifts for your sexy, sophisticated man It's nearly 2010 and real men accessorize. They get manicures, dress well and enjoy wearing sophisticated scents, too. These days, being sexy and chic doesn't conflict with being strong and masculine. This holiday, the best gift to the man in your life should reflect his personal style and sense of casual sophistication.

This holiday season calls for gifts that 'pay it forward' No matter which holiday celebrated, the spirit of giving is an essential and time-honored tradition for many. Given the current state of the economy, experts predict this holiday season to be a challenging one, leaving many to wonder how to keep the spirit of the holidays alive without breaking the bank.

It's not just a gift ... it's an adventure From Scrooge's ghost-guided time traveling to a trip to the North Pole aboard an imaginary express train, the holidays and adventure go hand in hand. And the gift of an adventure may be just the right fit for that hard-to-buy-for someone on your holiday list this year.

Check it twice: Buying the perfect laptop for that special someone With the holidays fast approaching, it is time to start thinking of practical gift ideas in this tough economy. As the wireless revolution continues to dominate our personal and professional lives, a laptop or netbook is a hot gift for those close to you this holiday season.

Get the most value out of your holiday shopping What is the hottest holiday gift-giving trend this season? It's all about getting the most bang for your buck.

Sharing the season's sentiments sweetly There has rarely been a year when so much has been asked of so many. Families and friends across the miles have clung tight to each other and most have come out more connected than ever. Here are a few ideas for finding that perfect "something" that says, "I'm thinking about you," or "Thank you for everything."

Secrets to staying on budget this holiday shopping season Shoppers stayed focused during the back-to-school season by clipping coupons, seeking sales and sticking only to the items on their lists, according to the National Retail Federation. If you're looking to save money this holiday season, you'll likely follow the same trend.

The 'Top Gun' gift no one will be able to top this year Ah, the holidays! Peace on earth, goodwill toward your fellow man ... and kill or be killed aerial combat. What's that, you say? How does aerial combat fit into the holidays? Pulse-pounding airborne combat fits perfectly with the holidays, when you give it as a one-of-a-kind gift.

Shop early to ensure season's hot toys are under the tree The holiday season has a way of creeping up on us, and it's never too early to start thinking about the perfect presents for your loved ones. However, getting your children exactly what they want - no matter what the cost - can leave a dent in your budget. If you're not in the know about what's hot and what's not, it's easy to miss out on having the season's must-have toys under the tree.

Spice up the holidays with personal gifts Looking for an affordable gift with a personal touch? A spice gift basket can fit any budget and makes an ideal hostess or holiday gift for every cook. They are perfect for a birthday, housewarming or simple thank you, too. With just a little thought and a few supplies, you can assemble a personalized basket. With Internet and mail-order shopping, it's possible to buy everything you need without leaving the house.

Spirit of the season: Generous gifts that give back The holidays are a season of generosity and giving, so what better time of year to give wisely with gifts that are easy on the earth, respectful to the global community and even give back to charity?