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Make a Small Holiday Seem Bigger!

Having a small Christmas/Hanukkah? Here are my top tips on getting the best bang for your buck!

(Yumdrop Bra and Panty Set, Retro '50s Candy Box Set)

1. Individually wrap everything. From candies to a panty set, you can increase how many presents your children, nieces, and friends think they are getting easily. It might not work for shoes, but it'll work for almost everything else!

2. Go for volume. Spend a little extra money to buy gift bags (dollar store, anyone?),which improves volume under the tree instead of wrapping paper. What also help looking like you're providing more than you really are? Large tags, confetti under the tree, and big bows all help.

(Old Navy Butterfly Cardi)

3. Wrap t-shirts flat instead of folding them. You know how I have been talking about Old Navy lately? I've been wrapping all my shirts in bigger, flatter packages to increase surface area (when I'm not using an extra-large gift bag, that is), and it definitely mixes things up.

4. Use a Christmas tree skirt. You know the quilt-things underneath your tree? Spread one out and then put your presents underneath your tree in one thing layer.Angling some against the base of the tree to add the illusion of depth.

(Cooling Mint Born Lippy)

5. Buy a smaller stocking to make it look full, and concentrate on giving people essentials. When you buy things that your children need or will want later, you're decreasing the amount you spend on filler gifts. Think crayons, notepads, and rubber balls for kids, or a wallet, money slip, lip gloss, or nail polish for your partner.

6. Wrap presents with a big ruffle on the top, and then secure that with a bow.l This works well for all oblong gifts.

(Lillian Vernon Ballerina Duffel, Lillian Vernon Ice Skate Bag)

7. Occasionally, quantity is better. Children sometimes don't understand the whole "quality" argument, so head to a single website that offers a percentage off or a large chunk of change off of a bigger amount, and make sure that you can get free shipping and use the discount on clearance items.

8. Use gift boxes filled with confetti to conceal a slightly smaller gift. Choosing 30% bigger box will definitely improve the under-the-tree look.

Be sure to recycle your wrapping paper next year to really save!

Top Picks from Old Navy

I've been doing so much talking about Old Navy, so I thought I'd finish the conversation with a top list of items I like. . . nothing more retail-friendly than faux-shopping. Without further ado, here's what I love right now!

Pleated Organza Shell, 5.99

Why I Love It: It's so elegant, and it's available in two very subdued colors! While I recommend this piece, I think it would be best underneath a clingy cardigan or perhaps a corset belt--definitely something figure flattering. Many of my top Old Navy selections are available in chiffon, silk, satin, and 100& cotton.

Tissue-Thin Striped Burnout Top, 4.99

Why I Love It: Burnout tops never get old, because they are sleek and sot to the touch. Dress one up with jeans and nobody will be the wiser. . . or just try one with your lounge pants for at-home style! Either will work wonders.

Striped Henley Tanks, 3.99

Why I Love It: Stripes never go out of fashion, and you can't beat a deal like $3.99, can you? Available in several good-enough-to-eat colors, we'll be feeling stylish and sexy in our selections well under $5. Don't forget that you can save even more if you head to Old Navy's web site and sign up for their updates via email! You'll get a $10 off a $50 order coupon, which can be stacked with other deals.

Stripe Cardi, 4.99

Why I Love It: You can read above about my stripe obsession, but there are other reasons why I chose this sunny piece. Long-line cardis add a touch of class to nearly everything you wear, and they can be paired with jeans or other wide-legged trousers to elongate the legs with heels.

Pointelle Lounge Cami, 4.99

Why I Love It: How could you not want another soft, warm, and cosy selection in which to wrap yourself? This little camisole is available up to XXL, and is a great selection for those of us looking for nice pajama and lounge wear in muted colors. Try it with shorts, capris, or exercise pants for easy style.

Plunging Floral Bra, $19.99

Why I Love It: Every girl needs another bra, am I right?

Chiffon Bubble Tops, $12.00

Why I Love It: Bubble tops are so cute, but they're not exactly forgiving. Chiffon is a little friendlier to the figure, and it drapes so well. Fresh green is a fantastic color to wear this time of year under a black cardigan or shawl.

Two More Runners-Up Picks!

Yoga Capris, $7-10

Color-Block Flats, $9.99

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Time is zooming by, and that means your holiday present options are slowly getting more and more slim. I know, it's frustrating, and yes-- we have no time anymore! Here's what I recommend getting if you are caught in a bind: Let that special someone get a GAP gift for themselves with a gift card.

1. Gift Cards, In-Store: Head to the store (Old Navy, GAP, TJ Maxx) and buy a gift card. Don't forget that the busy people in your life can use them for online purchases, and might be a lot of fun if they are into finding the deals (like me!).

2. Last-Minute Deals: It's worth checking out the last-minute online shopping options and coupons, even if you're feeling holiday stress. Finding 25% off deals and free shipping (Coldwater Creek does this) or $10 off any order (Victoria's Secret has been known to do this) makes purchases more budget-friendly than in-person purchases. In additional, free shipping makes it easy to select "Gift Wrap" and have the items shipped straight to your friends/family. It's worth the extra cost as time marches on towards Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year!

3. Amazing Clearance Items with Express Shipping: Spring for shipping if you find an item on clearance that will make a great gift. Try to purchase from websites that feature customer reviews, so you can feel confident about the quality of the items you are purchasing, or buy from websites with which you are already familiar. These kinds of surprises at this time of year are NOT good at all!

4. Gifts for the Whole Family: Instead of buying individual gifts for large families, like cousins, consider contributing to a fund of the family's choice, or to a project they've been trying to finish. Hire someone to finish or put up their swing set (and give them a nice card) or give the children something together that they won't fight over--a Netflix subscription for two kids, with a two-at-a-time rental option, is a good present for some families, as is something like a new X-Box with two controllers and multi-player games only. Or Twister! You decide.

5. "Surprise" Stuff: Consider on-the-spot gifts if you need to save yourself some major time. With a Christmas-day surprise, you'l keep people guessing until the very end. My only caveat is that the surprise has to be good if you want to pull this one off, so no novice gift-givers allowed! Legitimate surprises include new family surprises like a paid daily outing to the slopes, a trip to the shelter to choose a new dog the day after Christmas (clear this one first with heads of household), or something selfless like a two-hour volunteering session for those in need. All of these are memorable and go beyond a price tag, and what's better is that you can save major time if you're in a crunch situation.

6. Spur-of-the-moment Goodies: Head to somewhere like Target.com and pick up "Essentials" for a teenager or college student. These are practical items, so I recommend packaging them in something like a new purse or sports bag to add appeal, or including a smaller gift card as well. Things like peanut M & Ms, iTunes cards, a Kindle, a new perfume or scented perfumerie gift set, salon gift card, or at-home facial kit are all things that can contribute to that special person's daily routine, and they'll thank you for it!

Holiday Shopping Tips

1. Shop During the Weekend, and During Off-Peak hours

As long as you don't shop at the last minute, you'll be able to pull this off pretty well! During the holiday season, waiting until the last minute means incredibly brutal lines, a lack of selection, and a degree of competition that is just plain scary. Head out in the morning and evening to shop unfettered and pick up just what you need. If you can, schedule in some time at a 24-hours shop, too, and you after dinner but before bed to stock up on things like stocking stuffers and Hanukkah goodies for every day of celebration.

2. Decide on an Amount Per Person

Budgets are important, especially this year. If a ballpark budgets scares you, consider making one that applies to each person. From an aunt (and not a mother's) perspective, I budget out $25 per child and shop only on eBay, at TJ Maxx or Old Navy, and on Mercado Livre, the 'Brazilian eBay.' I can usually get two quality presents for each child this way (Old Navy tops for teenagers at $7.99 on sale; discounted toys in TJ Maxx; small stocking stuffers on clearance at K Mart). It's possible, and what's even better is that you'll put more thought into each gift.

3. Shopping Online Will Save You Trouble

That being said, all-around online shopping has some great perks, so you should look for the stores that suit the people you shop for. One way to save time is to go to a site like Shopstyle.com and type in what you'd like to ideally purchase--perhaps a "gold charm" or a "black purse." Page through the options, select the best ones for you, and then hunt out the online coupon codes to make your purchase really worthwhile. I can't remember the last time I ordered online without a coupon code, but it must have been an emergency for me to do so.

4. Save Your Receipts

When something turns up not quite right, or you find out that a certain someone already has exactly what you just purchased, having your receipt can be a wonderful thing. Stuff them in an envelope in your car if you don't want to deal with a complex procedure, or at least read the returns/exchanges policy before making a purchase online.

5. Stay Self-Savvy

Treat yourself, you shopping warrior of the holidays! Whether you're working out a tough budget online or braving the crowds, you've earned it. Don't wait until the end to treat yourself, either!

Discovering Goldyn

Some of my best discovery come from tips from my co-workers, and this one was one of my bbest finds of 2008! Goldyn's for the kind of girl who likes lots of luxury (think cashmere! lace! silk!) and in designer labels that are part-status, part-practicality because you will wear them for years!

(Zoe Couture Hat)

Isn't this completely a "Carrie Bradshaw" confection? This hat comes with a gorgeous floppy bloom in two basic colors that match with everything in your closet, basically guaranteed! That's guaranteed by me, of course, but how could you go wrong with tan and black? I'd love to wear this little topper with jeans and boots for a refined look.

(Fidelity Wide Legs)

Wide-legged jeans should definitely become more integrated into our wardrobes. If we love to wear smooth styles and we want to kind of slim the hips (or at least semi-disguise them), wide-legged jeans are worth a shot. They are kind on the rear region, stylish in the front, and have a lot more soul than other jeans out there. Just the way we like them!

(Pleated Double Collar Jacket)

A creative blazer is a good strong purchase, and easily justifiable for those who love the look of a statement piece, but just can't afford to splash out on something too expensive. Doesn't that kind of sound like all of us?

(American Retro Twist Gilet)

If you're a real mccoy who still loves the feel of fur, let me direct you over here (non-fur wearers, avert your eyes!). As a child growing up in a cold climate, I adored all my furry muffs and hats, and credit them saving my ears and cheeks from frostbite. This gilet is hardly as practical, but it sure is fun. It's a piece that'll last for ages and will keep you totally toasty.

(H Fredriksson Bolero)

A bolero is a smart choice for holiday parties and fancy dress items. Simply slip into this cute shrug to keep shoulders warm, arms a little bit roasty, and your dress looking demure. If you're craving a little extra color, add tons of pins and baubles to your look, and enjoy!

(Gold Vintage Pocket Watch)

I've never really considered getting a pocket watch, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. This selection looks so pretty and feminine (is it the size, the gold, or what?) and has a great effect for waistcoats (such as ones from Evans, for example!).

(Floral Print Scarf)

If your budget is too tight to even consider a larger piece, this floral print scarf is an awesome selection. Consider something demure (perhaps like this one in florals?) with a bright background color (like this in red), and then match it to all your clothes in black and beyond!

Stocking Stuffers For Kids

Of course, your kids want tons of candy in their Christmas stockings. For my three kids, chocolate, candy canes and even those life saver storybooks that I loved when I was a kid are among their favorites. So, at our house, Santa does bring plenty of candy.

But what else is a good stocking stuffer? Santa tries hard to be inventive with the stocking stuffers for my kids. Mini bath items seem to go over really well. Lip gloss, little bottles of lotion and bubble bath and those bath fizzers that look like scoops of ice cream and the bath confetti that is shaped like candy canes are always a hit.

My little boys like bath things too, but matchbox cars, little packages of legos, playmobil figurines and the proverbial plastic army guys and small high bounce balls make great stocking stuffers.

Since my kids love to draw, they usually find little packages of shaped sticky notes, mini colored pencils, holiday stamp sets and those little mini tubs of play-doh get squeals of delight.

My daughter loves any kind of jewelry. When she was younger, she liked the little girl costume jewelry, but now that she is getting older, I find that jewelry that looks like grown up jewelry makes her the happiest.

All three of my children like to get holiday socks. They love keychains of every kind to put on their backpack zippers. Other great stocking stuffers include mini stuffed animals and little items that are related to their after-school activities. Dance, soccer and karate items that are small and portable make fun stocking stuffers and they wonder how Santa knows their tastes so well.

It is always fun to wrap as many of these items as possible. It makes for more work for Santa, but it makes the mystery and excitement of the Christmas stockings last just a little bit longer.

Last but not least, but really first if you think about it, I always put an orange or an apple on the toe of their stockings. This is something that I always got in my own Christmas stocking, and every year, I looked for that telltale round bulge in the bottom of my Christmas stocking. I ate that orange every year, along with the chocolate and barley lollipops. The burst of sweet citrus was a welcome addition to the treats I received.

by Christena Palmer

Bear Traditions

Every Christmas seasons we find ourselves over-shopping, over-eating and over-spending. Forgetting about the traditional meaning of Christmas, we often find our selves making traditions of out-doing, out-decorating and out-cooking others. However; this season is the time to make joy out of the barest of essentials. After all, it takes very little to make Christmas cheer. Instead of trying to out-do my neighbors Christmas tree, or make a better cake than my aunt, I will try to make a new tradition to look forward to every year out of the bare minimum of money, effort and time.

As a shop-a-holic and not knowing exactly what my new tradition would be, I got in my car to go see my best friend that I use every time I am in a troubled position such as this—Wal-Mart. Searching the aisles of the low-price leader, I find many items inexpensive, but none worth starting my own family tradition. A happy newlywed, I was frustrated that I could not find a traditional representative of the Christmas-like love shared between my husband and me. Even at the bare minimum we could have tradition of exchanging red velvet hearts or even have Christmas Eve snack night.

Slowly walking down each aisle, taking it all in I looked at tiny glass ornaments, collector eggs, glowing Christmas lights, until I saw it and passed it. Slowly taking four steps backwards as if not to disturb my creative flow, or to disrupt the already stationary items I picked up the item smiling. Holding the item up, knowing that this was the one, the tradition, utilizing only the barest minimum of money, effort and time…a stuffed bear.

This Christmas bear indeed covered the three of my barest of essentials. At five dollars it cost very little money. And only having to go and pick out two bears from the very convenient Wal-Mart made it almost effortless and timeless. I looked at the bears I was holding, adoring—one male, one female. Both dressed in their Christmas finest and immediately saw in the two I chose similarities to both me and my husband. I felt warm as I looked down the right foot of each bear that were both monogrammed 2006. Feeling a sticky, hot tears stream down my face I reminisce on how significant of year this had been, the year that I, we and now my two little bears got married.

As I placed my selection in my basket I marveled at the sight of the bears that we would purchase in years to come. How we’d both take pride in picking out one female and one male bear with the significant year embroidered on the bear’s feet. Thinking ahead already at the bear that would grace our mantle next year, while these two would be retired to a bench or yule-tide decorated wall. A smirk crossed my face as I envisioned my next male bear wearing a replica of my husband police uniform and my bear adorned in my favorite color pink. I laughed to myself thinking about our 20th anniversary of this tradition, each Christmas still pulling out each and every bear from the previous years, decorating my house with their commemorative yearly monogram. Wondering if in the future if we have children will they despise or idolize the room full of Christmas bears. Smiling joyfully at the thought, my smile vanished as I thought of keeping the tradition going after the death of either me or my spouse. Seeing a vision of myself as an elderly widow purchasing only one female bear that year gave me a chill, but yet it was still comforting. Comforting in knowing that we shared a beautiful bear tradition and that as an old, widowed lady I was still shopping it up at Wal-Mart.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Stop and Admire the Christmas Decorations

It is a busy Saturday and you find yourself at the mall. There are swarms of crowds, and you just know that you are not going to get everything that you need to done in the short time you have. You need to buy a present for your son's gift exchange at school. There is one more thing that you want to get for your husband. If you get done at the mall soon enough, you are going to stop by the grocery store and pick up the vegetables for the relish tray you are bringing to work this week, and you still need to RSVP for that party your neighbor is having.

Instead of enjoying the Christmas spirit while you are shopping, you are rushing around like everyone else, trying to get everything done before you go on to the next holiday task. It seems that life has gotten so busy, we have almost forgotten the reason we have this season in the first place, and the many joys that go along with it.

When I was a small girl, I loved to go Christmas shopping. However, it wasn't the presents that interested me the most. Sure, I loved buying Legos for my older brother and a Rainbow Brite doll for my younger sister. But the thing I really loved was the Christmas decorations. The Christmas scenes, replete with mini elves, fake sparkly snow and large, wrapped presents made me smile. I oohed and ahhed over the green and red of the holiday garlands, and saw my wide-eyed expression reflected back to me in the shiny glass ornament balls that were hung everywhere. The Christmas decoration I loved the very most were the gaily colored strings of lights that were strung all over the place. I loved to see the blinking lights festooned around the display windows, lights on the streets, and the lights in my neighborhood. For me, nothing said Christmas like the lights. They were, and still are, my favorite symbol of Christmas. Whenever I see them, I get a taste of that childlike wonder and joy I had when I was small and so dazzled by the magic of the Christmas lights.

So while you are out shopping this holiday season, don't forget to stop and enjoy the Christmas decorations, and revel in the joyful feelings they bring out in you. Stop and share a cup of hot cocoa at the food court and admire the decorations. They are there for your enjoyment, and sometimes we get so busy, we forget that one of the best parts of the holiday season is the bright and beautiful decorations that remind us that this is a special time of year.

by Christena Palmer

Michael the Christmas Angel

The countdown to Christmas has well begun, and unlike my usual merriment of the joyous season that I loved in the past; I have replaced my smiling “Merry Christmas” this year with the scroogiest “Bah Humbug.”

There has been no reason for my demise of Christmas pleasantries, no life-altering event that has kept me from ‘decking my halls, ‘ and of course, no sudden change of my strong Christian beliefs…just an all around dismissing or ‘skipping’ of Christmas. My lack of sending my joy to the world reminds me of the Movie “Christmas with the Kranks, ” in which the family opted to just simply ‘skip’ Christmas, and that seemed impossible; however, this year I decided to sure enough give it a try. So, Bah Humbug!

By the second week of December it became ice sickle clear to everyone; family, friends and foes, neighbors and strangers that I was indeed not in the spirit of Christmas. There were no stockings hung on my chimney with care and no wishes of Goodwill to all danced from my mouth. After my office Christmas party, (that I decided not to attend,) I returned the unopened, but known useless ‘under $10 gifts’ that had been given to me by associates. Asking them to give the gifts to shelters, I noticed the disappointment on their faces. But, needless to say, I didn’t care, I simply just did not have the Christmas spirit, and that is my prerogative. At the end of the day, employees with smiling faces, shouted the merriest Christmas Greetings, and I under my breath, thinking no one heard me grumbled “Bah Humbug!”

“You need a Christmas miracle,” stated my assistant as she pulled me aside. “No,” I said, “I need my own personal Christmas angel.” Dismissing me as a lost cause, my assistant left me standing in the cold, contemplating my Scrooge like demeanor. Suddenly, feeling a tad of guilt for my less than jolly actions, I decided to go shopping—my favorite pick-me-up.

As I approached the strip mall I often frequent, I noticed a large sale sign at the door to Michael’s Arts and Crafts store. Great, I thought, I love a sale! And what I love more than a good sale is coupons, and guess what? When searching through my coupon pouch I had indeed two coupons for Michael’s. Immediately my spirits were lifted as I tugged on my scarf and did a quick once over. Deciding to change my boots into my favorite shopping shoes, a fashionable pair of wedge heels with extra cushioning and padding I was ready for hours of shopping pleasure. After the quick shoe switch I marched to door with my coupons in tow and my first smile on my face since Thanksgiving.

Low and behold, my merriment quickly dropped once realizing that the so called sale was only for Christmas items. What a bummer! Did the world not get my memo...I AM SKIPPING CHRISTMAS!!!However, since I was already there I decided to just look, after all, I was not in the Christmas spirit. I laughed at the poor saps trying to do last minute holiday shopping to add even more red, green and white decorations to homes that probably already look like the North Pole. I smiled to myself realizing how much money I was saving by not decorating my home this holiday season. Picking up a beaded gold wreath, that was exquisite I might add, I decided to make myself feel even better by checking the prices of the over-priced holiday items.

“$29.99.” What could this be true? This beaded majesty that seemed like it would cost at least $89? Feeling a little warm and flushed I looked up toward the ceiling to catch a breath of fresh air when…a little yellow sign caught my eye. Slowly, taking it all in I read the words…’All items on this aisle 50% off’. 50% I thought, clenching the majestic, but yet more than affordable $14.99 wreath in my hand I began to fight off the uncontrollable urge to purchase its golden branches. Knowing very well I couldn’t buy the darn thing because I had made a conscious decision to skip Christmas; however, I could not put it down. Walking to the next aisle laden with red and green plaid, glistening with silver and gold I felt a warm inner glow. Then catching a glimpse of the blue 60% off banner on the aisle, it felt like home.

With each aisle I searched full of Christmas décor, the more and more I became thankful and merry. Grabbing every red, green and silver item I remotely liked, I found my self singing Christmas carols and releasing my spirit’s joy. Over-filling my backset with items of holiday splendor, I found myself basking in the beauty of past Christmas’ that I enjoyed. Purchasing Christmas themed plates and green goblets I began planning my own holiday brunch.

Bustling out of the store in a rush to go decorate my home, I packed my ornaments and items with care in my trunk quickly, realizing that Christmas day is closely approaching. Just before I drove out of the parkway, I looked up at the sign of the store that had indeed saved Christmas for me. By taking in its sales I was swung into the Christmas spirit. Leaving the parking lot I smiled at the familiar yellow sign and mouthed, “Thanks Michael, you are truly my Christmas angel.”

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Gifts No One Wants To Get

We all know those gifts, the ones that no one wants to get. Along with the dreaded fruitcake, there are a variety of other gifts that no one really wants, but that everyone seems to get at least one of during the Christmas season. This happens when someone needs a generic gift and doesn't really know what to get.

Gloves, scarves and weird winter hats are also something that everyone seems to receive at Christmas whether they want them or not. Honestly, how many pairs of gloves does any woman need? Unless they are really plush ones that cost a fortune and look divine, gloves are probably not a great generic gift. So, bypass that display selling brightly colored gloves and try to use your imagination a bit.

Never buy travel alarm clocks, travel irons, or any other sort of cutesy travel item. They are not only boring, they don't get used. Most people shove them in a closet and forget they even have them when they go on a trip. They may seem perfect for the business traveler, but unless they specifically ask for one, don't assume they need it. They probably have three of them stuffed in the linen closet taking up space already.

Gag gifts, white elephant gifts, t-shirts that say crude things and other similar items are also not a good idea. You may think it is funny, but after the laughter over the item is over, what is the person going to actually do with these things? They may end up wearing the t-shirt to clean the garage, and re-gift the white elephant gift at the next party they go to, but things that are supposed to be funny usually aren't all that useful.

The thing about most of these types of gifts is that they get put away and forgotten, re-gifted to someone else or simply tossed out (i.e. fruitcake). For the person that you don't really know, there is someone that does know them, so take the time to ask about their interests. That way, they can get something they will really like and actually use and you can feel good about giving it.

Remember, there are probably only six actual people on the planet that like fruitcake. So no matter what, when you are up against the wall for a generic gift for someone, avoid the fruitcake and the other things I have mentioned like the plague. There are better gifts out there. Really! Consider things like gourmet hot chocolate, gift cards to their favorite store, festive holiday floral arrangements, etc. Be bold, be creative, but never, ever resort to fruitcake.