Gift Cards for Christmas!

(ARA) – Just like clockwork, after indulging with family and friends on Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season was off and running, with eager gift seekers lining up and clicking through for Black Friday and Cyber Monday finds. But as the holidays inch closer, the seasonal spending spectacular can start to take its toll. The stress to select the perfect gift grows, and that pressure can cause you to choose something that may be outside of your budget just to check it off a list. Giving a great gift can be easier and more financially friendly than scouring the racks and websites. Gift cards are a perfect option to keep your holiday spending, and your sanity, in check while also giving your loved ones what they want.

Stress-free shopping

For some, the hassle of crowded stores coupled with the pressure of giving a great gift can cause holiday anxiety. According to a recent TD Bank holiday shopping poll, more than one-third of respondents believe the greatest holiday shopping stresses lie in not knowing what to buy or worrying whether the recipient will like the gift. Choosing gift cards for some people can alleviate the stress of giving a bad gift, and the recipient has the benefit of buying exactly what he wants.

Convenience is in the card

Gift cards are available at many locations, including banks and retailers. Be sure you look into the card’s policy before purchasing. Some gift cards will charge an activation fee. However, there are cards out there that are fee-free, meaning you pay the value of the card and nothing else.

“Cards like the no-fee TD Bank Visa Gift Card, have the added convenience of coming gift-boxed, ready to give and accepted just about everywhere, making this a convenient, hassle-free gift,” says Nandita Bakhshi, executive vice president and head of products at TD Bank. “Giving a gift card reduces shopping stress, you spend exactly what you intend to, and are less likely to get caught up in the season and spend more money than planned.”

Don’t break the bank

Though many of us have visions of a holiday budget dancing in our heads, the TD Bank poll also reveals a startling portion, nearly 40 percent of people admit to going over their set budget. One of the primary reasons for deviating from a holiday spending plan: getting caught up in the holiday spirit and simply not thinking about how much is being spent.

With gift cards, you spend exactly what you intend to, and are less likely to get caught up in the season. Also, review your holiday shopping budget before heading into stores or shopping on the Web. Use online resources to research deals, find discount codes and determine if you’re buying the best gift at the best price for a loved one.

Practicality prevails

In addition to helping the buyer to maintain money merriment, gift cards can also keep the recipient in budgeting bliss. Given the not-so-solid economy, consumers are increasingly looking to use gift cards for not only leisure items but for practical, everyday expenses. So whether used for groceries, gas or that new outfit they’ve had their eyes on, gift cards allow the recipient to buy exactly what she wants or needs.

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Smart holiday gift ideas that make busy lives easier

(ARA) – As the holiday season approaches, many people start wondering how they’re going to get everything done. From shopping for gifts and decorating the house to hosting parties and visiting relatives – and more – the list feels endless. And adding all of these things to an already hectic lifestyle can seem next to impossible.

However, the important thing to remember, even in the rush to get everything done, is that the holidays are all about sharing time with those you love. That’s why it’s important to find ways to cut back on your own stress levels and focus on the joy of the season.

Little organizational efforts, like making a well-planned shopping list, can cut back on the amount of time you waste and minimize the stressful search for a last-minute gift.

While you’re thinking about keeping your own stress to a minimum, use that same thought in looking for gifts. Opting for presents that blend the practical and the enjoyable will ensure that there are plenty of smiles as gifts are opened. Everyone – even those who are notoriously hard to shop for – can enjoy a gift that will make their lives a little bit easier. To start your holiday shopping, consider these helpful hints from Farberware.

Health conscious

Everyone aspires to live a healthier lifestyle – just look at the most popular New Year’s resolutions if you need confirmation. Giving a gift that makes a more health-conscious way of life easier is something that anyone can appreciate. A high-quality 10-speed blender is a useful tool for making smoothies and soups that incorporate the fruits and vegetables essential to a healthy diet. The Farberware brand high-wattage models with 5 pre-programmed settings can whip up nutritious and easy treats in just minutes.

Other health-boosting ideas might be membership to a gym, or passes to fitness classes – it’s increasingly easy to find classes like yoga that are tailored to families too.

Gourmet gifts

Is there anyone who doesn’t love a great home-cooked meal? The flavors and comforts of home stick with us for years, so giving gifts that take cooking to the next level are always welcome. Creating those meals can take a lot of time and effort, so put items that help with preparation on your list. For instance, a 12-cup food processor like those from Farberware will make chopping, shredding and slicing a snap, and eliminates a lot of work. Plus its 4-cup nested work bowl makes small kitchen tasks a breeze.

For those who really love to cook, give the gift of a cooking class experience. They can learn to create new dishes, study an unfamiliar cuisine or even sharpen their knife skills.

On the go

Most people’s schedules are packed, and they often find themselves rushing through the day without taking time for themselves and what they enjoy. By giving gifts that both help them through their daily routine and provide a bit of pleasure, your presents will do double duty. To get their day started on the right note, a programmable coffee and tea maker with automatic brewing can give them a morning boost of their favorite beverage. With two specialized permanent filters for coffee grinds and tea leaves, they never have to sacrifice their favorite cup of fresh brew. Supplement it with a tasteful travel mug, and you’ll be sending them out the door with a smile on their face.

You can also encourage them to spend some quality time on their own by giving a gift like a massage or spa gift certificate. Offer to help set the appointment so it doesn’t get lost on their to-do list.

Shopping for the holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. Look for inspiration in the things your friends and family love to do and how you can make their lives simpler. You can find these fabulous Farberware gift ideas exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide for only $59.88 each. Visit www.farberwareproducts.com for more information on all your gift-giving needs.

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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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Deluxe Fragrance Sampler For Her ($96 Value)

This year I’m planning on giving gift sets from Sephora to the lucky ladies in my life.  Sephora is a leading provider of all things beauty-related.  They offer makeup, skincare, fragrance, bath & body, hair and beauty tools & accessories.

Personally, I can never have enough perfume!  One great gift Sephora is offering this year is Sephora Favorites for $50 (a $96 value) which includes a set of 12 fragrance samples that also includes a voucher for a full size bottle of perfume making it the perfect present for the lady who is not sure what her favorite scent is.  I love this idea!  The set contains the following scents:

• Bvlgari Mon Jasmin
• Clinique Happy
• Coach Poppy Flower
• Dolce & Gabbana
• DKNY pure DKNY
• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioa
• Givenchy Very Irresistible
• Gucci Guilty
• Juicy Couture
• Marc Jacobs
• Prada Infusion
• Versace Bright Crystal

Buxom Mix & Mingle

Another great gift idea from Sephora is the Buxom Mix & Mingle for $39 (a $72 value).  This is an eight-piece lip collection featuring colors to mix and match in coordinating shades.  It contains both Lip Polish and Lip Sticks.  A great gift idea for the glam girl in my life!

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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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Gift Cards are my favorite Christmas gifts!

For years I would kill myself trying to find all the loved ones on my Christmas list their perfect gifts.  I would drag myself all over town and fight horrible traffic and long lines.  That was until last year when I discovered the ease of giving gift cards!

I love to receive gift cards so I can buy exactly what I want.  Last year I received gift cards to: Bath & Body Works, Starbucks, Target, Red Lobster and Best Buy.  I went to Bath & Body Works and picked out the scents I loved!  I went to Target and bought a new dress and earrings.  I went to Starbucks and had Dirty Chai & Spiced Caramel Apples!  I went to Red Lobester and dined on the Ultimate Feast and purchased several DVD’s and movies from Best Buy.

I was able to get exactly what I wanted without having to make any returns!  Another great thing about Christmas gift cards are they are readily available at any grocery or drug store.  I’m amazed at the selection of gift cards from my local Wal-Greens and Reasor’s!

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Choose the gift of giving this holiday season

(ARA) – The holiday season is an important time of year to celebrate with loved ones and show them how much you care. It is also a great opportunity to help those in need by considering gifts that give back and help those in need.
Your gifts can do more than make you and your recipients feel good. The value and impact can be immeasurable to the lives you’re affecting. Here are some ways you can help those in need this year:

* Find out what nonprofit organizations your loved ones support, and make a gift donation in their names. Many nonprofits will provide a gift donation “thank you” card for the recipient to open on the holidays. It’s a nice way to honor your loved ones and the charities they support. A great example is a holiday card from Share Our Strength, the leading non-profit working to end childhood hunger in America.

* Purchase gifts from companies that donate part of your purchase price to a nonprofit organization. Hickory Farms, known for a variety of quality gift baskets and boxes, is offering a Party Planner Gift Box this holiday. The Hickory Farms Party Planner Gift Box is filled with savory favorites like the award winning Signature Summer Sausage and new Farmhouse Cheddar. This gift box is a great way to bring friends and family together this holiday season. For every Party Planner Gift Box sold this holiday season, the company will contribute $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign (up to $500,000 through Jan. 31, 2012).

“The goal of the No Kid Hungry Campaign is to end childhood hunger in America by 2015,” says Bill Shore, Chairman and CEO of Share Our Strength. “One in five children cannot count on having enough to eat. Companies like Hickory Farms know that a hungry child is a disadvantaged child, and they make it easy for holiday shoppers to contribute to the fight to make sure all children struggling with hunger in our country have access to the nutritious food they need to live, learn and thrive.”

* Sponsoring another family’s holiday is thoughtful and easy way to give back this season. Choose a community organization that will identify a local family in need and help provide some of the gifts on their holiday wish list. Personalizing these gifts to the local family connects your family to theirs, and brightens the season for all.

Choosing gifts that give back this season can really help put you in the holiday spirit, while also benefiting those organizations that rely on charitable donations this time of year. As your loved ones unwrap their gifts, know that the joy they are experiencing goes further to help others in your community and across the country. Visit hickoryfarms.com to order a Party Planner Gift Box that supports Share Our Strength, or to purchase other quality gift boxes.

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Holiday gift-giving tips for the teen on your list

(ARA) – Shopping for the perfect gift for kids and teenagers can be tough. It’s hard to know what they’re going to like, especially without a “wish list” in hand as you head out to the stores.

Get ahead of the crowds and make sure you come home with a gift they are sure to love this holiday season using these simple tips.

* Don’t make assumptions. Everyone on your list is unique, and just because your kids like something, doesn’t mean your niece or nephew will. Talk with parents, look at their hobbies and listen for special interests. You can get a better idea of what they like by simply paying attention.

* Let them choose. Teens will tell you cash is the best gift. But if you want to be a little more personal in your gift, consider turning that cash into a gift card to a favorite store, to purchase music online, or for a hobby shop. If the teen has their driver’s license, consider gifting a gas card. With a gift card, teens can select their own gifts and you can still claim ownership of the present. An added step would be to schedule a shopping date with the teen so the two of you can spend some time together, and they can pick out that perfect gift.

* Let them try before you buy. Video games are extremely popular gift items – 72 percent of American households have members playing games according to the Entertainment Software Association – but at $60 a piece, you want to be sure the title you buy is one they’ll really like. Before spending all that cash, rent the game from a local Redbox kiosk for just $2 a night and let them try it first. A recent Redbox survey found that 72 percent of respondents wish gift recipients could test video games before adding them to their gift lists.

Reserve games in advance online at redbox.com or through your iPhone or Android-enabled device. If you don’t have a gaming system, get together with friends or neighbors and organize a game night to preview several gift options at once. Not only will you please the teen on your list, but you’ll make an informed and fun purchase.

And if you’re still in need of an idea, just ask. More often than not, teenagers aren’t looking for a surprise – they’d rather receive a really cool gift, even if they know it in advance. Open lines of communication will give you all the insight you need into becoming a gold-star gift giver this holiday season.

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(ARA) – 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.

The main reasons shoppers purchase gift cards, according to a study by Deloitte, are:

1. They allow recipients to select their own gift.
2. Gift cards are easier and faster to buy than traditional gifts.

However, nearly one quarter of respondents stated they would be less likely to buy gift cards because they feel gift cards are impersonal.

Offering the convenience of a gift card, but a more personal gift, the GiveCard is the first and only gift card that allocates $5 from every card for a donation to a charity of the recipient’s choice. Recipients have the choice of thousands of organizations that they can donate to. The sender has the option to personalize the delivery of the card through online capabilities on GiveCard.com. The rest of the money left on the card is for spending like cash, everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. It’s like two personal gifts in one.

The idea for including a donation within a gift card came while founder Clayton “Nick” Nicholas was stationed overseas in the military. His mom liked to receive gift cards, but he always wanted to send her something more personal, which was often difficult with limited options and the distance separating them. A more meaningful, personal gift card that benefited a cause she believed in solved the problem – and an idea was born.

On average, if just 1 percent of gift cards given were GiveCards, an additional $50 million would be donated to charity. That’s the power of microgiving: small contributions adding up to a big impact. With the struggles charities have seen during this turbulent economy, these donations are providing a vital impact. Recipients can choose from thousands of national and local 501(c) registered charities like the American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Humane Society.

By giving a GiveCard, one generates a small donation and joins the growing community of microgivers who realize that when a large number of people make small individual contributions, they can make a big difference. But microgiving is not just monetary; it’s the small acts of kindness and charity made by people around the world every day. Join the microgiving movement on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GiveDay. To learn more about microgiving and GiveCard, visit www.GiveCard.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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