Stephanie Sporn, Lucky magazine

Whether you're saving money for holiday gifts or climbing out of a very dark Black Friday hole, maybe you really don't need to buy a new party outfit this winter. But you still want to wear one, of course, so here's how to get from point A to point B without handing over any cash or entering your credit card info anywhere. Really.

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Be the anti-Grinch with these charitable presents.

by Julia Rubin, Teen Vogue

'Tis the season for giving, so why not give back a little? A present is twice as nice when it helps someone else. Disaster relief, cancer research, and children's education are just a few of the causes you can support while gifting something cute in the process.

Come on, spread some joy...near and far!

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StartraksPhoto; Courtesy PhotoRachel Zoe faces a problem so many of us do around the holidays: Not. Enough. Time. To. Shop. "It's pretty stressful," the celebrity stylist told InStyle.com when she stopped by to style holiday looks at the Piperlime store in New York last night. "My life does not lend to shopping days. So, I've been doing a lot online, more and more." In fact, she was one of the many who contributed to Cyber Monday's epic sales day ($1.46 billion in sales!). "It was really fun, actually," she said of her online experience. "I bought some stuff for [my son] Skyler, like a pretend kitchen and an amazing vintage airplane that he can drive. It has pedals." And with gift-giving sessions fast approaching, her advice on choosing something for your tot is simple: "Buy what they love!"

We've got some ideas for children's gifts! Click through to see our favorites.

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clothing racksLike most women in the general population, I L-O-V-E to shop, and I really love to shop for new clothes. There's nothing quite as satisfying as finding a few classic pieces to add to your wardrobe that make you look and feel like a million bucks.

But as much as I love to hit up my favorite stores in the hopes of picking up some cute new duds, I often find myself entering the store feeling hopeful and excited, but leaving feeling like something just one notch above complete sh&%.

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And yes, I know exactly why -- it's because I'm all caught up in what the size label on whatever I'm trying on says and whether it's "telling" me that I'm fat and unattractive or not. Because if that number is anything bigger than the "cutoff" number I have designated in my head as to what is acceptable for me -- I won't buy the outfit, no matter how well it fits or how great it

So everyone dreams of waking up Christmas morning to discover a fabulous statement making Harry Winston diamond necklace under the tree. Ok, maybe not everyone, but we definitely do. So far it hasn't happened to us, and we are assuming that dream won't become a reality, well, ever. With that in mind we have assembled some of the most seriously lust worth costume jewelry around that is both perfect to give and receive this holiday season.

What's on your holiday wish list this year? Share with us in the comments below.

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Slimming holiday accessoriesNow that Thanksgiving is over, the holiday battle of the bulge has officially begun. Oh yeah, you know what I'm talkin' about. The pants are a little tighter, you're opting for cozy sweaters, and although you're super excited about that holiday party coming up -- you're dreading slipping into something a little more ... revealing.

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Heck, I'm right there with ya. We've already tackled holiday dresses that hide winter weight, now it's time to talk accessories. Yes, you heard that right. The right accessories can help you look trim this holiday season, and I'm not just talking about a brand new pair of Spanx. Check out 5 slimming accessories to complete your holiday look:

The Right Heels

$39, urbanoutfitters.com

The Right Heels

There's nothing I love more than a great pair of heels. Aside from elongating your legs, a great heel pumps up your confidence. These Kimchi Blue Gretel Suede Pumps are on sale, and the

Stephanie Sporn, Lucky magazine

Baking cookies, singing carols, decorating the tree and shopping sample sales obviously mean one thing: it's the most wonderful time of the year! November brought over 75 sample sales, and December won't leave us complaining either, especially with Lucky Shops popping up in New York City December 6-8. Just this week alone, the J.Crew, Botkier, Alexis Bittar and the highly coveted Rag & Bone sample sales will take place. But with major markdowns come downsides: miserable lines, crowded stores, limited merchandise and anxious customers. We can't resist a good deal, so after years of firsthand experience we've compiled our 10 best tips for mastering the art of sample sale shopping.

1. Do your research: All missions require thorough research. Sites like Racked often share exclusive sale details as the date nears, but to eliminate stress and surprises, read up on a brand's past sample sales to get an idea of pricing. It's always good to know what

Imagine yourself the belle of your winter wedding ball, in an opalescent gown with silver beading, surrounded by a frosty palette of cobalt, sapphire, and blue-gray with elegant silver accents. We've got all the inspiration to make your winter wonderland dream come true.

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