Christmas posts

Well, the good news is you made the effort to get good advice and because of that, you increased your financial IQ and were prepared for Christmas.

The bad news? You didn't follow any of that good advice and now you're even deeper in debt than before.

We asked Alison Griffiths, bestselling author and host of 'Maxed Out', what options are available for people who are suffering Christmas hangover.

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Excited about the visit from Santa Claus this year?

Although many of us can easily get caught up in the whirlwind of parties and gifts, this season is also about giving, and for those not so fortunate, there are many ways to share the spirit of generosity during the festive season.

Despite the recent recession, according to the latest survey from Statistics Canada, Canadians are more generous than ever, giving $8.3 billion in 2010, a 6.5% increase over 2009 donations.

Instead of focusing on the latest electronics, the perfect sweater or the toy of the season, how about giving the gift of clean drinking water, a goat or the gift of education? It may not be as easily displayed under the tree, but it will have a lasting effect.

Here's a list of gifts that can make a difference now and for the new year.

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We know that when it comes to food, we know that presentation is everything! Even Kraft Dinner tastes better on fine china. We wouldn't invest in preparing a gourmet meal only to serve it on a paper plate now would we?

I know shopping can be stressful and finding the perfect gift a delight. But don't skip the small investment and that little extra effort to make your gift look extraordinary. You might have spent hundreds of dollars on presents - so what's a few more dollars to create the wow factor. Alternatively, if you're gift giving on a budget, those homemade shortbread cookies that you're giving as a gift will taste so much more delicious to the recipient elegantly wrapped in cellophane with an organza bow?

And you guys that think this process is a little girly, I learned my wrapping lessons not from Martha Stewart, but my uber macho brother growing up.

Read more for the step-by-step process of wrapping fun!

Hanging the stockings on the mantle is a long-standing tradition for many families in the holiday season. But did you ever think that would be considered eco-friendly?

With the whirl of parties using disposable plates, cups and bowls or the endless amount of gift bags, tissue paper and boxes to display those gifts, the environment isn't always the winner this month.

So how to be more eco-responsible, still celebrate and decorate so Santa Claus will visit and the family gets into the holiday spirit?

It turns out we're still a nation of givers: According to Statistics Canada, the amount people gave to charity in 2010 rose 6.9 per cent compared to the previous year.

The total for that year came in at just under $8.3-billion. The number of donors increased too – the Canada Revenue Agency says just over 5.7 million reported charitable donations when filing their tax returns this year.

If you're the one who's hosting a holiday party or the family dinner this Christmas, there's enough stress on the menu without the worry of what it's going to do to the budget.

Here are six ways to save on holiday entertaining, without being obvious about it and without compromising on quality.

By Dawn Kawamoto, Consumer Ally

Christmas is just a couple weeks away, and consumers are heading out to snap up Christmas trees so Santa knows where to put the gifts. So, what'll it be? Live or artificial?

It's not just a matter of aesthetic preference or family tradition: Cost is certainly a factor during these tough economic times.

Industry trade groups have provided plenty of fodder for consumers to consider when weighing the costs of a live versus an artificial tree.

You've waited in anticipation for months, and now the wait for the holidays is finally over. It's also traditionally the time of year when most of us will burn a hole in our credit cards.

However, according to a recent Harris/Decima poll conducted for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) most Canadians plan on spending less this holiday season, especially those living in Atlantic Canada.

Regardless of where you live being cheap and cheerful is in. The holidays are about being with loved ones. They're about the experiences you create, not how much money you spend to create those experiences. So whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or ringing in the New Year here is a list of 20 cheap and cheerful ideas to keep the season fun even on the smallest of budgets.

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