Top five gifts for her under $50

(ARA) – Finding a perfect gift doesn’t always mean spending a ton of cash. Whether it’s a handy gadget, a fashion accessory or a day’s worth of spa-quality pampering, the following gift ideas for women are all available for $50 or less.

An MP3 player for musical enjoyment
A workout partner, a travel companion, a convenient way to enjoy music on the go; an MP3 player makes the perfect gift. The tiny Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player is affordable, easy to use and comes packed with features such as an FM radio, a stopwatch for timing laps and a larger color screen. The player is compatible with virtually all audio formats, including DRM-free iTunes, and comes in seven colors.

Scarves for keeping cozy
Scarves are the perfect accessory for the stylish woman’s wardrobe. For sophistication, choose a soft pashmina; for a casual, organic look, a chunky knit scarf should do the trick. Classic colors like black and beige are always a hit, but bright hues of purple, blue or red are also popular this holiday season. With so many materials and designs available, you’ll find the perfect one to fit her unique personality.

At-home pampering
Women love the spa, but with treatments so expensive, many consumers are opting for the affordable indulgence of at-home pampering. A foot bath can revitalize tired feet at the end of a long day and a back or neck massager can relieve tension. For a personalized present, create a gift basket of manicure essentials such as files, buffers, scrubs and fun shades of nail polish. Remember, not all gifts come wrapped with a bow; take the kids for an outing and give mom some alone time, or cook her favorite meal and do the dishes afterward.

Glam up the cell phone
Every modern woman owns a mobile phone, and it’s not just for texting, calling and surfing the Internet; a phone can serve as an extension of personal style. Mobile phones and matching accessories come in every theme imaginable, from diamond sparkles to sleek black leather and bright neon designs. For an added touch, mix fashion with utility by including a helpful accessory like a car charger, hands-free headset or pair of ear buds.

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Oatmeal, walnut, cranberry Christmas jar

I love the idea of homemade jars for Christmas gift ideas.  I’ve seen them being sold at Williams Sonoma for a lot of money, but the following video shows how simple and inexpensive it is to make them at home.  You can fill the jars with what it takes to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, brownies or other dessert ideas.  Simply wrap with a bow and list directions on the gift tag.  Kim Danger from the video also mentions how you can make body scrubs and give them as gifts.  Interesting, but I’m not sure how you would know what to put in the scrubs?  Regardless, here is the short video on handmade Christmas gifts!

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Holiday planning for cash-strapped Canadians

(NC)—For many Canadians, 2011 was a rough year. Layoffs, family emergencies, and poor investment choices have meant you’re counting pennies and struggling to pay off debt. And, with the pending holiday season, you’re stressed about finding money in the budget for appropriate and meaningful gifts. After all, with holiday parties, seasonal decorations, and multiple trips to the mall, December can be a difficult month for even the most organized of budgeters. So what should you do?

Start early. By purchasing a few gifts every month – instead of leaving everything to the last minute—Canadian shoppers can take the time and effort to source out sales, buy in bulk, and shop around for the best deal. In addition, starting early often means spreading out the cost of Christmas shopping over a few pay cheques, which decreases the stress felt by most shoppers in December.

Think outside the box. Gifts given in the name of a loved one from a charitable organization are available year round (perfect for early planners) and are tax deductible—a definite bonus for shoppers on a budget. Organizations like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada offer life saving gifts for children and families living in extreme poverty, which benefits both the giver and the recipient. You can visit their website at www.ccfcanada.ca/Gifts.

Invite people in. Hosting a holiday potluck is a wonderful way to show appreciation to loved ones. Giving your time to someone else is more valuable than anything you can wrap in a box. Plan ahead and organize a get-together that will build relationships and result in warm memories.

www.newscanada.com

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Low-cost gamer gifts that keep on giving

(ARA) – Video gaming’s popularity is at an all-time high – in fact, a recent study from Memorex shows four of five families have at least one gaming console in the home. This holiday season, skip a pricey console purchase and give your favorite gamer a gift that keeps on giving. Here are four gift options under $25 that won’t break your budget and will keep video game fans entertained well into the new year.

*The gift of style
If your resident gamer is a trendsetter – or if your family is just bored with black and white – add style to your next game night with console customization. For less than $20, you can purchase skins for your favorite gaming console and accessories through custom gaming skins services offered online. From colors and textures to your own photographs, these services will use your chosen visuals and transform your drab console into a gaming masterpiece. A simple online search for “custom gaming skins” will point you to a service with the style that best suits your family.

*The gift for gamers on-the-go
Keeping kids entertained while on the go has never been easier thanks to the range of portable consoles now available, including the Nintendo DS. The new challenge: keeping track of the tiny, expensive game cartridges. At just $19.99, Memorex’s Universal Game Selector Case is the ideal solution. Compatible with all Nintendo DS consoles, it holds up to three games that can be played without being removed from the case – so games are less likely to be lost while kids are out and about. Powered by the DS console, so no batteries are required, other gamer-friendly features include LED-backlit speakers and a stylish D-pad. The Universal Game Selector Case is available at Target, Wal-Mart, Sears and Kmart.

*The gift of games, games and more games
Keeping up with the latest video games is expensive, with top new titles debuting at nearly $50 each. And nothing is worse than spending big bucks on a game that rarely gets played. This season, avoid the debate over which title to buy and give the gift of a video game subscription service. Gamers can “try before they buy” and exchange games for new titles as often as they like – a great alternative to spending hundreds of dollars on games that may collect dust. The most popular services are just $22.99 a month, with more than 7,000 titles to choose from.

*The gift for gamers in-the-know
Many gamers gobble up news about their favorite consoles and games like food on Thanksgiving – their appetites are seemingly endless. No matter which console your gamer prefers, you’re sure to find a magazine that caters to their interests. If digital news is more their style, some gaming magazines offer digital editions at a discounted rate from the print edition. Gaming magazines subscriptions are available for less than $20 per year, and most some come with bonuses like reward points or exclusive access to game demos.

For other gamer gift ideas, visit Memorex.com or the Memorex Fan Page on Facebook.

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Managing post-holiday debt

(NC)—Holiday parties are over, gifts are unwrapped and the Christmas tree is at the curb. Now it’s time to tackle a daunting pile of bills.

Follow these three steps to avoid a debt spiral in 2012.

1. Get financial advice

A financial advisor can help you pull together a plan to budget and pay off your debt in a short period of time.

“Ensure that you bring all of your financial information, including outstanding debt, when meeting an advisor to help them understand your entire situation,” said Stephen Reichenfeld, private wealth counsellor of Fiduciary Trust Company of Canada.

More information on how to find an investment advisor is available at www.franklintempleton.ca.

2. Stick to your payment plan

Cut back on frivolous expenses so you can pay down your debt sooner. While a new spring wardrobe or a beach vacation may seem tempting, keep your sights set on your goal.

Remember, if you struggle to make payments and take too long to pay off debt, interest charges will continue to accumulate. You may find yourself in an even deeper debt hole by the end of the year.

3. Avoid the cycle by planning ahead

Once you have paid off your debt, create a plan for the next holiday season. Make a list of possible expenses and gifts, and then figure out a budget you can stick to. Next time, save money in advance rather than charging more than you can afford to your credit card.www.newscanada.com

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Great gifts for teens for around $20

(ARA) – Teens are always dreaming big around the holidays, and see this time of year as the perfect opportunity to put big-ticket electronics or sought-after concert tickets on their wish lists. So, for many parents, holiday shopping for their teens can seem a bit daunting.

How can you give your teens gifts they really want without breaking the bank? Here are a few fun gift or stocking stuffer ideas that are sure to please your teen and your wallet alike.

For the “bottomless pit”
Between school, homework, sports, part-time jobs and friends, teens are always on the go. A busy schedule often leaves little time for regular, balanced meals, and has hungry teens filling up on snacks throughout their day. Instead of chips, candies and cookies, give your teen a high-protein snack that can keep up with their crazy schedules. This year, slide a great-tasting, protein-rich snack, like Matador Beef Jerky, in their stocking. Available in a variety of flavors, these tender snacks require no refrigeration, making them a convenient grab-n-go snack for teens on the move. Here is the 411 on some of this year’s trendiest, teen-centric flavors:

The “I Want More”: Matador Teriyaki Beef Jerky
The “Flamin’”: Matador Flamin’ Hot Beef Stick
The “Bold”: Matador Peppered Beef Jerky

You can find Matador snacks in your local grocery store, mass retailer, convenience or drug store, nationwide.

For the movie buff
This year, take the guesswork out of which DVD or Blu-ray movie your film lover wants by thinking outside of the DVD box. A Friday night at the local movie theater is often a favorite pastime for teens. Help them celebrate the cinema by stuffing their stocking with a movie gift card. Theaters have made purchasing advanced tickets as easy as picking up the phone. Add a little extra money for popcorn and a soda to make their night complete.

Movie passes and concession stand gift cards can be purchased at most theaters nationwide. Calculate a budget for movie passes and snacks, or purchase a $20 gift card and let your teen decide how to spend their movie money. Visit your local movie theater box office for more information.

For the techy
With a nod to the celebrated and remembered “Einstein of our time,” Steve Jobs, make sure the tech-savvy teen on your gift list is well equipped with the latest mobile apps for their smartphone. Smartphone apps make great holiday gifts and cater to an unlimited number of interests and hobbies. For sports fans, choose an app that gives reminders and results for every major sport. Select apps that showcase chemistry tutorials or an astronomy sky map for your science-minded teen. You can gift your favorite apps through any smartphone carrier via a gift card or online vouchers, and your loved one is sure to be entertained all year long.

Apps come at a variety of price points; visit your smartphone’s app store online for more information.

For the music-loving fitness junky
Pair your teen’s enjoyment for exercise and music with a gift that keeps on giving – lightweight headphones. Studies have shown that listening to music during exercise can act as a motivator and as a distraction, ultimately improving workout results. Whether your teen is a fitness warrior or a casual exerciser, adding headphones to their music-driven workout routine will keep them feeling pumped-up and energized. Available in a variety of colorful styles from earbud or clip-on, to wireless and over-the-ear varieties, the smiles and excitement that come with this gift will be sure to last all year long.

Headphones come in a variety of designs and price points from $10 and up; check with your local or online retail store.

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Personalize your greeting cards and gifts for the holidays

(ARA) – Nothing says how much you value a person more than a personalized handcrafted card or gift. And making your own can be far easier on your budget than buying from the store. So consider putting your creative skills to the test this year.

Where to start?

No need to be a computer guru
First, assess your computer’s capabilities and obtain the right software. The more RAM (amount of memory) the computer has the better, according to Keld Bangsberg, academic director in Media Arts & Animation at The Art Institute of Portland in Oregon. This will allow you to store many photos and video files, which take up room in your hard drive. “Machines with a minimum of 4 gigabytes are recommended. You don’t need a high end machine to accomplish good work, but having a machine that doesn’t fight against you is helpful.”

For software, Ric Peterson, The Art Institute of Seattle academic director in Photography and Video Production recommends Adobe products, which he says are the “industry standard.” Consumers should be able to find a wide range of new software these days for photo and video editing, particularly on Apple platforms.

Plan the project for success
For crafty projects such as greeting cards or a memory album, try to go beyond just selecting the right photos. Add special touches that represent your family, your interests, where you live, favorite vacations or beloved pets. This can include scanned images of your child’s artwork, a postcard, famous quotes or poems, for example.

Bangsberg also recommends thinking about foundational elements such as color and what kind of mood the color conveys. “Ask yourself are you working within a color palette that is compatible, or are the colors disjointed, and don’t match?” he adds.

When tackling video, the best way to get started, according to Peterson, is to map out a small storyboard to plan out the shots. Another aspect to consider is how you frame your scenes – you can use close-ups to focus the attention and perhaps heighten the moment, or use broad vistas, where the camera is farther away.

Learn to ‘release’ creativity
For most novices, learning how to release your creativity may be the most difficult challenge.

“Practice is the most surefire way to getting better in any creative endeavor,” says Bangsberg. “First, find a simple way to get your ideas recorded. Don’t expect perfection on your first try, it’s all about capturing the inspiration when it strikes.”

Norton Young, department director in Advertising and Graphic Design at The Art Institute of Portland, agrees. He recommends carrying a small journal so you can write down anything that is a trigger such as words, color combinations, or objects that you can work off of later.

To spark ideas and concepts, also try changing up your routine. Young explained that we tend to rely on what we know, which can be a creative block and that the best approach is to put yourself in a new frame of mind. He offers these tips in how to get your creative juices flowing:

* Put yourself in an unfamiliar situation or place.

* Observe objects around you and think about two items that do not normally go together and how to make them one concept.

* Read different magazines and watch television shows you normally do not view.

* Try new foods or listen to different music genres.

“Looking for inspiration in areas you are not used to seeing is the key,” adds Young. To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu.

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Greener options for your holiday wrapping

(NC)—If everyone in Canada wrapped just three gifts in reused paper or gift bags, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks.* That’s a lot of paper! When wrapping your gifts this holiday season, consider making your own recycled or reusable wrapping paper.

“From old scarves to baskets, there are many common items around the house that make great wrapping for your gifts, all it takes is a little imagination ,” says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. “Not only will Mother Nature thank you, but your loved ones will appreciate the originality and your effort.”

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) offers the following ideas for making your own gift wrapping this year:

• Recycle artwork—Save your child’s colourful paintings and drawings throughout the year and turn them into holiday gift wrap for grandparents and other family members.

• Photos—Make your presents picture perfect by pasting photos of family and friends on old shoe boxes or reusable bags.

• Wallpaper & newspaper—Leftover wallpaper is easy to work with, is durable and adds a pop to presents. Add some ribbon or beads for a finished look. Do you have a friend or relative who is always telling jokes? Use the comics section of your newspaper for wrapping.

• Fabric—Pick some of your most colourful scarves, festive tea towels or old clothing and get to work. Perfect for wine, any boxed item or clothing, fabric creates a beautiful and simple way to wrap presents. Secure ends with a safety pin, button or knot, and top with a bow or sprig of holly or pine for a seasonal touch. Your fabric wrapping can either be part of your gift (like a tea towel) or be used to wrap presents year after year.

www.newscanada.com

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Holiday gifts you can't wrap

(NC)—What do your children wish for this holiday season? You’d probably be surprised if they asked for clean water, education, and at least one meal a day. But children in developing countries would like nothing more than these basic essentials we often take for granted.

Two-time Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan experienced this reality first-hand on a recent trip to Ethiopia.

“It broke my heart to see four-year old children walking two hours one way just to get clean water to drink,” she says. “For my own children, I just hand them a glass of water from the tap without a second thought.”

Le May Doan is a mother of two who has sponsored children with Christian Children’s Fund of Canada for 16 years. On her trip, she visited communities that now have access to clean water through rainwater harvesting tanks and pipelines, thanks to the organization. She also saw joy in the faces of children who attend a newly-constructed school and eat a solid meal through the organization’s projects.

“It’s inspiring to see the work that has been done with so little,” she says. “I want to keep bringing joy to these children and I challenge Canadians to do the same.”

Visit www.ccfcanada.ca/Gifts to purchase meaningful gifts for children in need like: fruit trees, school supplies, livestock, a rainwater harvesting tank, or a new school playground.

www.newscanada.com

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Giving greener gifts

(NC)—This holiday season there are sound environment gift options for every taste.

Choose greener gifts by keeping three guidelines in mind: locally sourced, thoughtfully personal and smart wrapping.

A simple option is to find something grown or crafted in your area. Local wines, cheeses or seasonal arrangements are always a welcome gift. During the holiday season Canadians can take advantage of wreaths or arrangements made from local evergreens.

For a more personal gift, consider the recipient’s interests and hobbies. A great resource is the World Vision Gift Catalogue (online at www.worldvision.ca/gifts). Options include a grove of fruit trees on behalf of an avid gardener, school supplies on behalf of a reader or chickens to provide a family with eggs in the name of a wonderful cook. Gifts are locally sourced and go to help children and families around the world.

Reduce wrapping, or go for recycled or reusable options. Using fabric or a colourful cloth shopping bag is not only an environmentally sound option, but provides a ‘wow factor’.

www.newscanada.com

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