holidays posts

There's something strangely satisfying and less stressful about flying with only carry-on luggage.

The first snicker of satisfaction comes when you arrive at the airport with your boarding pass already printed off the internet and breeze past the line of people waiting to check in their bags. The second is knowing that you've avoided paying check-in baggage fees (this is not so much an issue on Canadian airlines, but you really need to watch out for them in the U.S. or on budget airlines around the world -- they hurt. Ouch!) Third is knowing that the airline won't lose your luggage (it's a slim chance, but it does happen.) And fourth is being able to walk straight off the plane, past those waiting for the baggage conveyor belt to start up, and straight out of the airport.

Before you say that there's no way you could fit everything you need into your carry-on, read on.

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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To watch the video, click below:

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 liked this Washington Post article so much, we decided to link to it, and follow it with a few riffs of our own.

The idea is simple: instead of spending lots on gifts and ensuring they're under the tree on Christmas morn, why not delay the gratification a few days and hit the post-holiday sales?

You can manage this creatively by:

• Buying gift cards for favourite stores you know will be having Boxing Day sales
• Leaving a note from Santa (beside a small gift) saying that he got delayed but will be coming by to give your mom and dad a big cheque to take you shopping with
• Spending Christmas Day away from your extended family and friends, and arranging to meet up during the holidays to exchange presents

What would our ancestors have thought of online shopping? Don't get me wrong, the naked commercialism of the season warms my cockles too but sometimes my bank account yearns for a simpler (cheaper) time. Here are some gift ideas you can make that are inexpensive and meaningful.

CLICK TO LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY

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1.Get arty
Take a picture of something relevant and touching to you and a friend. Get it developed in black and white and frame it with an inexpensive frame from Black's. (You can order your pics at Kodakgallery.ca -- one 8x10 photo starts at $1.39 -- and get them shipped for free to your local Best Buy or Future Shop). Or, recruit your kids to paint a picture for Grandma and put it in an Ikea frame (frames start at $4.99).

Let's be honest - a new sweater, a pretty piece of jewellery or even a new electronic gadget - it doesn't measure up to chocolate does it?

As Forrest Gump said, "life is like a box of chocolates" and we all want to indulge.

The sweet cocoa treat is intrinsically linked to the holidays and its the perfect item to give to friends and offer at the holiday parties.

Each family has a favourite for sharing during parties and drop-ins - so what chocolate confections are always on your table during the holidays Canada?

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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?

The trend of giving a tiny piece of plastic with benefits is on the rise. According to a recent survey, eight out of ten shoppers plan to give a gift card this holiday season. Meaning -- chances are -- you will give or receive one within the next month.
Since these handy, wallet size cards are becoming an inherent part of our gift giving tradition, it's wise to know you're giving or getting what you can out of them.

Cards are becoming a bit more personalized and geared towards specific lifestyles -- no longer something you'd only give a colleague or distant aunt. For instance, with the economy in turmoil, a lot of my friends and relatives are hinting that they'd like more practical things this year, or a bit of extra "help" to get away for that much needed vacation. Nobody really likes giving cash in an envelope -- a gift card is a prettier, more festive way of giving money towards something a person needs or wants to do.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your money if you'll be giving or receiving one this season:

So you want to impress your office mates with something tasteful -- or at the very least useful -- at this year's Secret Santa festivities, even if you don't know them very well. And most importantly you don't want to spend all your hard-earned cash on that person who talks too loudly on the phone from the cubicle beside you or who swipes your Kleenex and post-its when you're not around.

Here are some impersonal gifts for $15 and under that anyone could use -- and might even enjoy -- which can also be deployed as stocking stuffers.

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Since we've survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday, for the majority of us, there's still more shopping to do on the horizon.

Have you found a gift for Cousin Susie or Aunt Debbie? Doesn't your best friend deserve a little something more than a gift card?

I find the atmosphere at many retailers starts out festive, with holiday music and pretty displays.

But as the days get closer to the 25th of December, the frenzy of needing to find the right gift becomes the fixation and the niceties of the season are thrown out the window. Shopping becomes a combat sport.

For those shoppers who don't want to dread opening the credit card bill in January after purchasing things in frustration to escape the stores, here's some tips to keep calm and shop on.