Gifting
Kids and gifts: How many is too much?
Despite the many messages from all corners promoting a "more is better" philosophy when it comes to holiday gifts, the truth is far more complex -- especially for children.» Read More
Holiday Shopping
Giving on a tight budget
As global economic woes continue, holiday spending remains difficult to predict. In 2010, holiday spending rose more than five percent from the year before, according to MasterCard Advisorsâ„¢ SpendingPulseâ„¢.» Read More
Holiday How To
Secure your identity when shopping online
There is no denying that shopping online is the quickest and easiest way to zip through a holiday shopping list. With a few clicks and keystrokes, it's possible to have all of your Christmas shopping done in no time. But as many people have found out -- the hard way -- purchasing via the Internet can be risky business, especially during the holiday season when shoppers are pressed for time and make hasty decisions. While identity theft and fraud can occur at any time of the year, the holiday shopping season leaves consumers particularly vulnerable to hackers and identity thieves.» Read More
Shipping gifts more than just timing
When shipping holiday gifts, much of the focus is on getting those gifts in the mail on time. While it's important to avoid procrastinating when shipping holiday gifts, there's more to shipping gifts than just getting them sent out promptly. When shipping holiday gifts this season, consider the following tips.» Read More
Protect against mail theft this holiday season
Today's families are more geographically diverse than ever before. When today's young adults leave the nest, their new nest is almost as likely to be across the country as it is down the street.
In some cases, a mall's decline is directly related to the state of its physical plant. Those that have not been refurbished or remodeled in recent years look and feel dated. What's more, customer base has dwindled in many areas, especially those where alternatives to malls abound. » Read More
» View Holiday How To Section
Six strategies for tranquil holiday travel
Traveling during the holiday season is a mixed blessing. School vacations and time off from work provide great opportunities to spend a "White Christmas" with faraway family and friends or sneak in an end-of-year getaway via "The Polar Express." At the same time, holiday travel can be both expensive and stressful. While it's all but impossible to avoid the costs and crowds completely, with these time-honored travel strategies, travelers can prevent "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and find yourself uttering, "It's a Wonderful Life."» Read More
Credit Crunch
Managing credit cards during the holidays
The holiday season is synonymous with many things. Among those things is holiday shopping. Some people revel in holiday shopping, while others would just as soon never see a mall again the rest of their lives.» Read More