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Gifts & Shopping
 Websites presented in alphabetical order 10 Tricks for Shipping Holiday Gifts With Ease 
 These tips "will help you ship holiday packages safely and in the least expensive way, depending on your needs." Covers timing, packing, choosing a shipping service, and understanding when to pay more. Includes links to major consumer shippers. From MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16059156/ Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Dec 11, 2008 12 Rules for Regifting Without Fear
This article provides a "frank discussion" on regifting, "a grand old holiday tradition we all practice and pretend we don't." Presents a dozen rules for regifters including not mentioning that you are regifting, updating wrapping, keeping track of who gave you the gift, and not regifting certain items that are an "instant giveaway" that they are regifted (such as candles and soap). From MSN Money. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/12RulesForRegiftingWithoutFear.aspx Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Dec 3, 2008 39 Frugal Tips for Saving Money at Christmas
Tips for saving money during the Christmas holiday season. Includes tips for Christmas cards, wrapping paper, decorations, food, and entertainment. Many of these tips can be applied at times of the year other than Christmas. From a money-saving tips ezine. http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/holidays/saveatchristmas.htm Topics: Christmas, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 24, 2008 American Lung Association Christmas Seals
History of Christmas Seals, labels originally placed on mail during the holiday season to raise funds for tuberculosis and now benefiting lung disease programs. Discusses the events leading up to the sale of the first Christmas Seals on December 7, 1907. http://www.christmasseals.org/history-of-christmas-seals.html Topics: Christmas, Diseases & Conditions Last updated Sep 9, 2009 Avoid Gift Card Pitfalls
Consumer advice regarding gift cards, which are "convenient and popular, but ... are often loaded with fees, expiration dates, and other hassles." Includes an overview of gift cards, gift card "gotchas" such as maintenance fees and expiration dates, and tips for givers and receivers of gift cards. From the website for Consumer Reports magazine. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/shopping-tips/gift-card-pitfalls-12-07/overview/gift-card-pitfalls-ov.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 29, 2007 Black Friday
Official site for the "Black Friday ads as they are reported to ... [the site] during this holiday season." These ads are from major U.S. retailers for the day immediately following Thanksgiving, which is known as "Black Friday." http://www.blackfriday.info Topics: Advertising & Marketing, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 10, 2008 Buy Nothing Day (BND)
Site for this protest against consumerism that takes place on the day after Thanksgiving. Provides suggestions for somewhat controversial BND activities such as a credit card cut-up or zombie walk in shopping malls. Also includes downloadable posters and public service announcements (which MTV declined to air). From Adbusters, an organization that wants "to advance the new social activist movement." http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Jul 13, 2008 Buying, Giving, and Using Gift Cards
Consumer tips for buying and using gift cards, such as asking about expiration dates and fees, giving the original purchase receipt to the recipient in case the card is lost or stolen, and checking about purchase exceptions. Includes contacts for problems and complaints about gift cards. Also available in Spanish. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt010.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 20, 2009 Christmas Little Women Style: Celebrate Christmas Like the March Girls in Alcott’s Novel
This article describes how to celebrate a less commercial Christmas in the manner of the March girls in Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women." Topics discussed include giving up a personal self-indulgence in order to give to a loved one, giving to those in need, and sacrificial giving. From Suite101. http://americanfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/christmas_like_little_women Topics: Christmas Last updated Nov 24, 2008 Crafts for Kids
"These crafts projects are for preschool, kindergarten and elementary school children. The crafts use materials found around the house, like egg cartons, cardboard, paper, boxes, string, crayons, paint, glue, etc." There are over forty different craft topics, such as dinosaurs, holidays, and thank you gifts. Each craft includes the supplies needed, complete instructions (which an adult might need to interpret), and pictures of each stage of construction. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/ Topics: Crafts, Holidays & Observances Last updated Jun 3, 2005 Cultural Requirements of Indoor Holiday Gift Plants
This chart provides care requirements for common winter and holiday plants such as amaryllis, Christmas cactus, cyclamen, and poinsettias. Discusses light preference, watering, temperature, feeding, transplanting, maintenance, and related topics. From The New York Botanical Garden. http://www.nybg.org/hgc_online/fact_sheets_detail.php?id_fact_sheet=5 Topics: Christmas, Gardening, Holidays & Observances, Plants Last updated Nov 20, 2009 Deck the Halls With Less Waste This Year!
This collection of holiday waste reduction tip sheets features ideas for no-waste gift-giving and gift-wrapping, reducing waste when opening gifts, and options for recycling Christmas trees. From the California Integrated Waste Management Board. http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/PublicEd/Holidays/ Topics: Christmas, Crafts, Environment, Holidays & Observances, Holidays and Observances Individually, Judaism, Technology Last updated Nov 2, 2004 Decorating and Wrapping With Winter Nature Magic
This site offers "quick and easy ideas for decorating both your home and your gifts with the seasonal magic of nature." Discusses ideas for using evergreen branches, moss, wild berries, dried flowers, pinecones, and other natural materials. Also includes project ideas, such as making pomanders and nature-stamped gift paper. Provides links to related holiday articles. From Care2.com, a coalition of environmental groups. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/winter-nature-decorating-wrapping.html Topics: Christmas, Crafts, Holidays & Observances, Holidays and Observances Individually, Judaism Last updated Jun 6, 2007 Fashionably Frugal: Holiday "Want" List May Focus on Others' "Need" List
This November 2008 article discusses how the current economic downturn might benefit those in need if you "replace your 'want' list with your community's 'need' list." This article also suggests that "the economy might provide the reason for the cutting back that many may have wanted to do for years." Includes ideas for involving children in charitable giving. From Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. http://www.extension.org/pages/Fashionably_Frugal:_Holiday_%27Want%27_List_May_Focus_on_Others%27_%27Need%27_List Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Aug 13, 2009 Father's Day (Yahoo!)
Directory of websites about Father's Day. Includes links to sites containing stories, music, animations, puzzles, cards, poems, gift and craft ideas, recipes, history, quotes, and more. http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Holidays_and_Observances/Father_s_Day/ Topics: Families, Holidays & Observances, Holidays and Observances Individually, Musical Genres, Mysteries and More Last updated May 29, 2008 Give a Good Card
Information about how to purchase "a gift card for charity where the recipients get to donate to their charity of choice." The site notes that "[w]hen you purchase a Good Card it is tax-deductible for the buyer. When the recipient redeems a Good Card it is not tax-deductible for them." Includes a FAQ on purchasing and redeeming. From Charity Navigator. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=699 Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 17, 2008 Green Holiday Tips From the Sierra Club
Suggestions for making the winter holidays more eco-friendly. Ideas include recycling old cell phones, making your own wrapping paper, buying energy-saving LED lights, getting a pesticide-free tree, and donating your time or money to an environmental group. Also includes a link to a "holiday survival guide," which provides material about environmental issues for dinner table discussion. From the Sierra Club. http://www.sierraclub.org/holidays/ Topics: Environment, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 21, 2007 Holiday Retail
Collection of news stories related to the current winter holiday retail season. Topics include toys made in China, toy safety, holiday price cuts, sales figures, and other retailer and consumer actions. (Note: Video clips may take a long time to load.) From MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15714138/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 21, 2007 Holiday Shopping, Circa 2008: Tips From the Federal Trade Commission
This consumer tip sheet provides holiday shopping advice for staying on budget, with suggestions such as making a shopping list and budget before shopping, comparing prices, checking sale ads and bargain offers, tracking your spending, and considering layaway programs. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt082.shtm Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 14, 2008 Holiday Watch
This site features information and statistics about trends in holiday shopping back to 1999. Topics include "hot" gifts, busiest shopping days, data on tracking holiday sales figures, and winter holiday season sales as a percentage of total sales for general merchandise, apparel, furniture, and furnishings. The "Fun Facts" section provides information about Santa Claus at the mall and mall holiday decorations. From the International Council of Shopping Centers. http://holiday.icsc.org Topics: Business, Christmas, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 30, 2004 Kaboose: Crafts
Instructions for projects for children, including projects using recycled materials, gift projects, and seasonal and holiday crafts. http://crafts.kaboose.com/ Topics: Crafts, Holidays & Observances Last updated Aug 28, 2008 The Magnificent, the Merry and the Mundane: The Display Windows of Eaton's Department Store
This exhibit explores department store display windows, which "have been central to Canadian retailing since Timothy Eaton built Canada's first super-size department store in the 1880s." Topics include the history of Eaton's (founded as T. Eaton Company by Timothy Eaton), displays inspired by royalty, Christmas windows, and other window display trends through the history of the store. From the Archives of Ontario. http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/eatons-windows/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances, Industries Last updated Nov 7, 2008 Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
A database of toy drives by state (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) lets users know where to donate to this venerable project of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The Reserve collects "new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year ... [to provide] Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted." The site has a history of the charity and information on its corporate sponsorship program. http://www.toysfortots.org/ Topics: Charity & Nonprofit Resources, Christmas, Hobbies, Poverty Last updated Dec 6, 2006 National Retail Federation: Annual Holiday Sales Information
Information about retail shopping activity in the U.S. during the winter holiday season. Information before and after the holidays variously includes spending projections, shopping on the Friday and Monday after Thanksgiving ("Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday"), online shopping, and consumer surveys. Also includes a report with "recent and historical data on holiday trends, including sales data, holiday hiring, and shoplifting." From a trade association whose membership "comprises all retail formats." http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&id=615 Topics: Christmas, Holidays & Observances, Holidays and Observances Individually Last updated Nov 10, 2008 PNC Christmas Price Index
The financial services company PNC "calculates the Christmas Price Index each year as a fun, lighthearted way to look at the increasing cost of goods and services bought by the True Love in the holiday classic [song], 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.'" Features prices for one partridge in a pear tree, five gold rings, nine ladies dancing, and more. Prices date back to 1984. Includes a video presentation. http://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/CPI/index.html Topics: Christmas, Holidays & Observances, Musical Genres, Nonfiction by Genre, Sports, Recreation, & Entertainment Last updated Dec 4, 2008 Present Tense: The Changing Ethics of Holiday Gift-giving
This 2003 article features links to resources about traditions related to holiday gift-giving for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Eid al-Fitr (during Ramadan), and Diwali. Also includes a list of experts on holiday gift-giving for different religions and for shopping alternatives (such as handmade gifts and charity donations). From the Religion Newswriters Foundation. http://www.religionlink.com/tip_031118a.php Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Oct 6, 2009 Regiftable.com
Humorous website on the financial and personal aspects of regifting. Includes "Regifting 101" (with matters to consider such as the condition of the gift and keeping the regifting secret), user-submitted regifting stories, and a blog. This site also sets the Thursday before Christmas as National Regifting Day, which "according to ... unscientific research ... is the most common day for a holiday office party," where much regifting takes place. From a consumer credit counseling service. http://www.regiftable.com/ Topics: Holidays & Observances Last updated Dec 1, 2008 SecretSanta.org
"Working in partnership with hundreds of local organizations, SecretSanta.org helps promote, advocate and enable holiday toy drives that support children in need." The site features a database (searchable by ZIP code) of opportunities for donating toys throughout the United States. Also includes links to sites related to Christmas. http://www.secretsanta.org/ Topics: Charity & Nonprofit Resources, Christmas, Holidays & Observances, Poverty Last updated Feb 2, 2004 Top 5ive Tips for Black Friday Shopping
Five shopping tips for taking advantage of special bargains on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving. Tips include creating a game plan (budgeting and visiting order of stores), foregoing sleep, using the Internet, comparing prices, and avoiding identity theft. Includes links to sites with Black Friday advertising. From AOL Money and Finance. http://money.aol.com/top5/general/black-friday-shopping-tips Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Holidays & Observances Last updated Nov 4, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau Facts for Features: The Holiday Season
Facts and statistics about the winter holiday season, including shopping and retail sales, mail delivery, Christmas trees and decorations, toys, holiday names, and New Year's Eve and Day. From the U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014405.html Topics: Christmas, Holidays & Observances, Statistics Last updated Nov 20, 2009 What Matters to You This Holiday Season?
This site concentrates on ways to focus on the true meaning of the holidays, providing ideas for preventing excessive consumerism, saving money, and selecting environmentally responsible holiday gifts. Includes gift ideas, holiday statistics, and ideas for planning an alternative gift fair. From the Center for the New American Dream, an organization devoted to responsible consumerism. http://www.newdream.org/holiday/ Topics: Christmas, Holidays & Observances, Holidays and Observances Individually, Judaism Last updated Nov 27, 2008 |
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