(NC)—The growing popularity of charitable gift catalogues proves Canadians are thinking twice about traditional holiday gifts like expensive clothing and décor items that will just add clutter; opting instead to value "what matters most"—experiences, memories, and connecting with friends and family. And although the reasons for charitable shopping are as varied as Canadians themselves, the end result is the same: Canadians are using their holiday shopping to make a difference. Shoppers are flocking to reputable Canadian charitable websites like Christian Children's Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) to find the perfect gift. And with prices starting at $10, it's easy to find something for everyone on your list while at the same time providing a meaningful way to bond with others both at home and around the world. Foodie in your life—One kilogram bag of rice: $10 A non-perishable one kilogram bag of rice is a staple in many countries and will provide hungry children with a guarantee of at least one hot meal per day. Teacher/Child Care provider in your life—Dictionary: $15 A building block of education no teacher or student should have to do without. Under $20/Hostess gift—Warm blanket: $20 Even in Africa, nights are chilly and children get cold. Give a child a warm blanket to protect them from the elements and provide them comfort throughout the night. Stocking stuffer –Fruit trees: $20 Fruit trees provide families with an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and enhance a child's immune system to protect them from illness. Produce from trees such as bananas, papayas, mangos, coconuts and oranges can also be sold for additional income. Last minute gifts—Two mosquito nets: $30 One million people die from malaria every year, with pregnant women and children the most vulnerable to the disease. A simple mosquito net can protect a family of four. www.newscanada.com

(NC)—The growing popularity of charitable gift catalogues proves Canadians are thinking twice about traditional holiday gifts like expensive clothing and décor items that will just add clutter; opting instead to value “what matters most”—experiences, memories, and connecting with friends and family.

And although the reasons for charitable shopping are as varied as Canadians themselves, the end result is the same: Canadians are using their holiday shopping to make a difference.

Shoppers are flocking to reputable Canadian charitable websites like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) to find the perfect gift. And with prices starting at $10, it’s easy to find something for everyone on your list while at the same time providing a meaningful way to bond with others both at home and around the world.

Foodie in your life—One kilogram bag of rice: $10

A non-perishable one kilogram bag of rice is a staple in many countries and will provide hungry children with a guarantee of at least one hot meal per day.

Teacher/Child Care provider in your life—Dictionary: $15

A building block of education no teacher or student should have to do without.

Under $20/Hostess gift—Warm blanket: $20

Even in Africa, nights are chilly and children get cold. Give a child a warm blanket to protect them from the elements and provide them comfort throughout the night.

Stocking stuffer –Fruit trees: $20

Fruit trees provide families with an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and enhance a child’s immune system to protect them from illness. Produce from trees such as bananas, papayas, mangos, coconuts and oranges can also be sold for additional income.

Last minute gifts—Two mosquito nets: $30

One million people die from malaria every year, with pregnant women and children the most vulnerable to the disease. A simple mosquito net can protect a family of four.

www.newscanada.com

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iPad

I have a very important man in my life, my husband, who I shall be shopping for very soon.  I was thinking about how easy it is to get crappy gifts for men.  It may be because shopping for men seems harder to me than shopping for women. I can always score points with a pretty purse, perfume or candle for the ladies.  So, here are a few ideas of gifts that my man, my husband, might enjoy receiving this holiday season:

Fun Tee-Shirts:  My husband loves funny and eclectic tee shirts.  He wears about two or three different ones a day.  It drives me crazy, but I love him!  My favorite places to get unique and fun tee-shirts for men are: Threadless.com, ShanaLogic.Com and JohnnyCupcakes.com

Tech Gadgets: My husband loves anything high tech.  Anything at all.  From our fancy schmancy thermostat to electric soap dispenser, he loves it all.  I’m sure I will have no problem finding something we don’t already have.

iTunes Gift Card:  Classic, tried and true.  My husband will never have enough apps downloaded or music to listen to.  This is a definite must on my Christmas shopping list!

Electronics:  He is dying to have a iPad.  Will he get one?  That remains a big question!  Another idea is a gaming system, but that could be bad.

Music Equipment:  My husband is a musician.  A very talented musician at that and has the ability to play the guitar, mandolin, key board, Uke and more.  I like to nurture that hobby and getting something music-related is always a nice option.

Gift Cards:  The bowling alley, his favorite restaurant or even for some clothes shopping, gift certificates always make him happy!

Something for the Dogs:  Although this is not technically for my husband per se, he enjoys making the dogs happy and giving them new toys, bones, treats.  This could be a nice way for Daddy to be the star and give the pups some new goodies.

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Give the gift of U.S. Savings Bonds

(ARA) – Buying U.S. Savings Bonds for loved ones has been a holiday tradition for more than 75 years and is a unique part of our nation’s history.

Whether gift-givers are parents helping their children save for their first home, young couples celebrating their newborns’ first holiday season, or grandparents helping their grandchildren save for college, the U.S. Department of the Treasury looks forward to helping families preserve this tradition of savings bond gift-giving for generations to come.

While the 2011 holiday season will be the last for savers to purchase paper U.S. Savings Bonds through a bank, electronic savings bonds still will be available for purchase online through www.treasurydirect.gov, the Treasury Department’s safe, secure and convenient website to purchase, manage and redeem savings bonds 24/7.

Once you create a TreasuryDirect account, you can purchase savings bonds for yourself or loved ones starting at $25. The TreasuryDirect website offers a variety of themed gift certificates for the holiday season – as well as for birthdays, graduations and more – that you can fill out and print from home to commemorate the occasion.

Because recipients of gifts purchased through TreasuryDirect will require an account of their own to receive the gift bonds, encouraging family members to create a TreasuryDirect account can give people of all ages a safe and convenient way to save.

Visit www.treasurydirect.gov for a guided tour on how to open a TreasuryDirect account – or, just follow the five steps below.

1. Have your Social Security number, bank routing number, checking or savings account number and email address handy.

2. Go to www.treasurydirect.gov and complete the online application.

3. Once your account has been created, log in and use the Gift Box feature to buy gift bonds.

4. Choose the recipient for the bonds in your Gift Box by entering his or her full name, Social Security number and TreasuryDirect account number. When you deliver the bond to the recipient’s account, he or she will get an email announcing your gift.

5. If your family member or loved one doesn’t have a TreasuryDirect account, encourage them to create one so you can readily purchase savings bond gifts for them. Children under age 18 must have a minor account linked to a parent or guardian’s TreasuryDirect account.

Visit www.treasurydirect.gov today to learn more.

The preceding information has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt.

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Technology gifts for the whole family

(ARA) – Buying holiday gifts can be a fun and easy experience when you go to the right place, and there is a certain joy that you get when you see someone opening a gift they’ve been waiting for all year. No matter the age of the person you’re buying for, there is one kind of product that is perfect for everyone: technology. Whether it’s new headphones, a USB flash drive for a stocking stuffer, or an e-reader, there is something for everyone.

Digital lifestyle expert and TV personality Mario Armstrong suggests making the shopping experience easy by finding one place shoppers can turn to for all their technology-gift-shopping needs. “Staples is a great place for that,” says Armstrong “they offer customers a great in store experience where shoppers can test products to ensure they are getting the best one for them. Also, if anyone is confused or needs a little guidance, their EasyTech Associates can help them decide, purchase and even help set up their new technology gifts.”

Here are some of Mario’s must-have picks for this holiday season available at Staples:

Tablets and e-readers: Smaller and more portable than a laptop, the tablet has become the ultimate tool for anyone who wants the functionality of a computer on the go. It can serve any purpose, whether you need an easy alternative for a business presentation, a great tool to play games or a movie-player to keep your kids busy when you’re traveling. Depending on what feature you’re looking for there is a wide range of models and accessories to meet almost any price point. With another great portable device that is all the rage this year, e-readers, paper books are a thing of the past. Now, the best way to get into your favorite book is to download it, the new Kindle Fire has a seven inch color touch screen that can download countless books in addition to movies and TV shows!

Stocking stuffers: There are some fun tech items at Staples that make great stocking stuffers. These days everyone has multiple flash drives in their life, but they don’t need to be those basic, boring black cubes. Now, drives come in fun shapes, colors and themes such as animals and even Looney Tunes characters.

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be time consuming, once you find the right place that has everything, you get the gifts that will make everyone in your family smile this holiday. Staples is teaming up with Mario Armstrong this year to give everyone insider information on the best technology gifts this holiday season, be sure to check out www.staples.com/techdoutsweeps where you can get more information and tips directly from Mario and have a chance to enter to win an amazing tech prize package.

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Give the gift of personalized wine

(ARA) – People are more interested in food and wine than ever. Turn this passion into a fabulous holiday gift: one that will have the recipient enjoying his gift throughout the year.

A new trend is emerging with more people developing interest in a carefully cultivated wine and food lifestyle. People are creating their very own vintage – making it a great holiday gift idea. Take Bob Mollica from Boston, who recently bottled his 2009 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon.

“It’s always been a dream to have my own wine,” says Mollica. “I wanted to find a way to create a California wine to enjoy and share with friends while continuing my day job here in Boston.”

That dream is now a reality. He uses Estate Crush, a Lodi, Calif.-based custom crush winery that oversees the entire winemaking process.

Estate Crush provides clients a seamless experience from start – sourcing fruit from reputable growers – to finish. The end product is a bottled wine complete with a personalized label.

In recent years, a number of companies have offered custom labels on wine, but it’s unusual to have creative control over what’s going into that personalized bottle. The Estate Crush private barrel program lets clients adjust the winemaking protocol to make the wine to their personal specifications, and also involves clients in the process by scheduling tastings with the winemaker via videoconference or in person for important decisions such as oak additions and blend percentages. Clients can also adapt the size of the end product to their needs, ranging from one barrel (24 cases) to just one-quarter barrel (6 cases).

The popularity of wine in the United States is at an all-time high. In fact, the U.S. surpassed France as the largest wine-consuming nation in 2010, with wine shipments across the U.S. – coming from California, other states and foreign producers – at nearly 330 million cases, a record high for the industry. And, in 2010 the per capita total wine consumption was 2.54 gallons – more than one case.

For a unique holiday gift or for oenophiles who haven’t been able to find the perfect blend or who want an exclusive wine they can call their own, a private barrel program that allows them to create their own ideal wine might just be the solution.

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Great gifts for the holiday season

(ARA) – The holiday season is upon us. With your goal to wrap up all your holiday shopping by June long since passed, the pressure to find that impossibly perfect gift for everyone on your list now has an overbearing timestamp as well.

But fear not, holiday shoppers. The following list of gift ideas and stocking stuffers is sure to make this year’s holiday gift giving much less daunting and a lot more fun for both you and your loved ones.

For the snacker: Go for gourmet and guilt-free.

Snacking is synonymous with the holiday season, but with the abundance of tempting, fattening treats available, choosing snacks that fill you up, and not out, is not always easy. Satisfy your snack lover with the gift of guilt-free snacking this holiday season. Slide a bag of Jack Link’s Jerky in your snacker’s stocking. Made with premium cuts of beef, pork, turkey or chicken, Jack Link’s snacks taste great, and are naturally high in protein and low in fat, calories and carbs. With more than a dozen flavors available, there is something for everyone. Here are a few of this year’s trendiest and tastiest stocking stuffers:

* The “Classic”: Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky
* The “Flavorful”: Jack Link’s Cholula Hot Sauce Beef Jerky
* The “Savory”: Jack Link’s Teriyaki Beef Jerky

Jack Link’s Jerky is available in grocery stores, mass retailers, convenience and drug stores nationwide.
(Suggested retail price per 3.25-ounce bag: $5.99)

For the angler: Hook up the fishing enthusiast this holiday season with the latest gear.

Make sure the angler on your wish list has the latest go-to lure from Rapala – the authority on fishing – with the Rippin’ Rap. This highly versatile bait features a tall, thin bodied, lipless design that cranks, swims and rips its way into the thick, along rock cover, over structure and anywhere in between. The rounded body touts a textured scale, gill and detailed fin that are paired with extra large, deep-set 3D holographic eyes that call fish in for the bite. And, if your holiday recipient has been hinting at a new fillet knife, the new Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife will provide uncompromised, reliable fish filleting and carving performance. Featuring a relaxed grip with advanced airflow body design, this cordless electric fillet knife will provide uninterrupted power for a full 80 minutes.
(Suggest retail price for Rippin’ Rap: $6.99)
(Suggested retail price for Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet: $89.99)

For the bookworm: Make reading more accessible with an e-reader.

This year, pair your loved one’s favorite hobby with a little functionality in the form of an e-reader. From your beach chair or while in flight, an e-reader makes reading easier and convenient from any location. Today, there are more choices than ever before – from touch-compatible, e-ink interfaces to Wi-Fi and audio playback capabilities – e-readers can be personalized to meet every bookworm’s needs. You can even personalize the gift by choosing a case cover in a pattern or color your recipient will love. Add it to a stocking or wrap it as a gift, the smiles and excitement that will come with unwrapping this gift are sure to last all year long.

For the amateur chef: Cooking made easier with a meat thermometer.

Many amateur chefs are so afraid of undercooking meat that they often end up overcooking it. Help your home chef take the guesswork and stress out of cooking by slipping a meat thermometer into his or her stocking this year. Meat thermometers range in price and come with a number of functionalities such as a digital interface, wireless probe or alarms to notify you when the desired temperature has been reached. Preparing the perfect roast in the oven or hamburger on the grill has never been easier with this gift idea.

For the hard-to-please teenager: Capture memories with this great stocking stuffer.

Teens can be difficult to buy for. Skip the stress of browsing clothing racks, or navigating the video game aisle, and give them a gift they are sure to love – a pocket camcorder. Capturing live memories is easier than ever with a pocket-sized, portable video camera. Available at a variety of price points, pocket camcorders come with a number of capabilities to choose from, including a waterproof frame, optical zoom, instant video playback – and it’s all in HD. Drop this gift in your teen’s stocking and they’ll be shooting, uploading and looking back at all of life’s most embarrassing, amusing or engaging moments for years to come.

For more information and gift ideas, visit www.JackLinks.com and www.facebook.com/JackLinksBeefJerky, or www.Rapala.com and www.facebook.com/RapalaUSA.

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Great gifts for gadget lovers of all ages

(ARA) – Have someone on your holiday shopping list who can’t get enough of the latest gadgets? While you might be thinking that it’s tough to buy for someone who always seems to have the newest version of every type of hand-held device, shopping for these folks is easier – and less expensive – than you might think.

Countless other items on the market complement these types of devices and enhance the user experience. And as if that’s not enough, plenty of other affordable tech toys are sure to appeal to both adults and children. If you’re at a loss for ideas, here some thoughts to get you started.

Power up
One of the side effects of accumulating different types of electronic devices is ending up with separate chargers for each device. Keeping track of all these chargers can be difficult both at home and on the road. A helpful gift for any gadget lover is a mobile power pack that’s compatible with many different types of devices. For example, the Rayovac rechargeable power pack has micro USB, mini USB and Apple device plug-ins that cover most recharging needs. Or if you know the recipient has a bunch of battery-operated devices, consider giving him a battery charger and rechargeable batteries.

Get in tune
Mobile devices have changed the way we listen to music and you’re sure to have someone on your list who can’t go anywhere without their iPod. Consider a gift card to iTunes or Amazon’s digital music store or a portable device with speakers that will connect to their digital music player. For the young music lover on your list, Paper Jamz toy instruments allow kids to sing or play along with their favorite songs.

Active devices
Now more than ever, digital devices are small and durable enough take with you just about anywhere, even on a run or a bike ride. If the person you’re buying for leads an active lifestyle, consider the many different types of bands, clips and mounts available that will allow your recipient to easily bring her phone or music player with her on her workout. For active children, the Light Strike laser tag game offers digital action for an affordable price and is an especially attractive option if you’re buying for siblings who like to play.

For the movie buff
Shopping for someone who loves TV and film? Considering giving a year-long subscription to a digital streaming service such as Netflix or Hulu Plus, which will provide access to more films and shows than you could ever imagine. This can be a great gift for families too, as they’ll all be able to enjoy what this type of service has to offer. If you purchase something like this, you may also want to throw in an HDMI cable that will allow your recipient to connect the family computer to their TV, if they don’t already have one.

If you’re buying for people who love gadgets, try to think about the small things that will help enhance the experience of using the devices they already have. With so many digital devices in use today, you have plenty of options to choose from.

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Stocking stuffer success

(NC)—Holiday shopping season is here, and you don’t want to forget about stocking stuffers and other small gifts. The small stuff can be a hit and bigger certainly doesn’t mean better – many of us have a blender in a cupboard somewhere to prove that. If you’re looking for stocking stuffer inspiration, editors at RedFlagDeals.com, Canada’s largest bargain hunting website, have some great suggestions:

For Him

• A multitool is small, useful, and let’s face it, guys like gadgets.

• Anyone who plays video games can appreciate an extra controller for his Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.

• Does he play sports? Pick up some accessories for his sport of choice like extra golf balls, hockey tape, or ski wax.

For Her

• Good body lotion, especially in cold, dry-skin inducing weather, will be appreciated.

• A simple scarf and set of gloves stave off the cold and can be great fashion accessories.

• A well-made water bottle is nice to have at the office or yoga studio.

For Everyone

• A travel pillow goes a long way in the economy class cabin, on road trips, and on lengthy commutes.

• Make a gift of some extra charging cables for the person’s mobile phone. You will be loved for it.

• A well made corkscrew is classy and comes in handy.

• Just about everyone can use a good set of rechargeable batteries.

A thoughtful gift is usually the best gift. More stocking stuffer ideas and money-saving deals can be found online at RedFlagDeals.com.

www.newscanada.com

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Avoid the last-minute holiday rush

(NC)—The holiday season isn’t officially upon us, but we all know people who have started and completed their gift list. Though it irks you, they will have earned the right to sit back, relax, and smile smugly at all the frantic shoppers come December. You, on the other hand, have no idea what to buy for your favourite people this year. Join the ranks of the unstressed and get your shopping done early. Here are some ideas for the following people on your list:

The new man/woman in your life. You’ve only been on a few dates, but you’re already thinking long-term with your new beau. But do they feel the same? To avoid awkward scenarios during the holiday season, avoid super expensive or impersonal gifts. Instead, give a gift that shows attentiveness like tickets to see their favourite sports team or a gift certificate to a coffee shop they frequently visit.

A colleague you drew at the office gift exchange. Whether your colleague is a close friend or stranger, you should always aim to spend at least the minimum amount allotted for the exchange. Avoid shopping for trinkets at the dollar store. Instead, pay attention to what your colleague spends his/her time and money on. Do they make frequent trips to the vending machine? Consider a basket of snacks to perk them up for lazy afternoons. Are they pet people? Consider a pet-themed album or frame.

Your spouse. Spending quality time together is important amid the busyness of life. Enroll in an educational workshop, language class, fitness club, or dance lesson and enjoy the new things you’ll learn together as a couple.

The person who has everything. Your friend may have the latest gadgets and designer clothes, but you can bet they never thought to buy a goat, a fruit tree, or a clean water well. Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, an international child development organization, provides practical, life-changing items that help children, families, and communities in need. You can purchase a gift in your friend’s name and then send him/her an e-card to show how they helped this holiday season. Find more details online at www.ccfcanada.ca/Gifts.

www.newscanada.com

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Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your list

(NC)—While it may seem daunting to check off everyone on your holiday gift list each year, there are some gift ideas that are sure to please everyone—and you may not even need to set foot inside a shopping mall.

• Know someone who can’t go a day without their favourite hot beverage? Look no further than the coffee shop around the corner for a gift that everyone loves, like a new mug or a Starbucks gift card. And, make sure to collect My Starbucks Rewards stars by paying with your registered Starbucks card—then it’s giving and receiving.

• Post-holidays can be long and dreary, but also a perfect time to go see the latest film out in theatre. Stop by the theatre or order movie tickets online that can be used in the New Year. Throw in a voucher for that expensive popcorn and you’ve found an entertainment hit with friends and family of any age.

• What’s the gift that keeps giving all year round? Magazine subscriptions. Not only can you order a subscription online or over the phone, but picking up a copy of a particular magazine from a convenience store makes for a nice gift to unwrap and enjoy until the first issue is delivered.

This holiday season, spare yourself some stress. You don’t always have to spend a lot of time and effort to find the perfect gift.

www.newscanada.com

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