• If you read our guide to sex-toy gift-giving etiquette last week, then you know it's best to go for nicely designed, higher-end prod. Of course, in this economy, who can afford a$175 Swarovski-crystal-encrusted vibrator with a pink feather tail on a silver stand? But that doesn't mean you can't find an affordably lewd and luxurious present for the fellow-perv in your life. Here are a bunch of cheap(ish) gift ideas in 10 categories - all are as classy as sex toys can be, and each is under 50 bucks:

    1. Jimmy Jane may be a leader in high-end design and beautiful packaging, but they have a bunch of stylish gifts under $50 (some way under $50), including ceramic massage stones, their classy take on the Spin-the-Bottle game, massage candles with body brushes, the Iconic Bullet Vibrator, theIconic Duckie Vibrator, the Iconic Smoothie Vibrator, and the travel-sized Indulgences Kit, which comes with a feather tickler, a waterproof mini vibe, lube, condoms, and a "Love Decoder" (a naughtier version of an old playground game).
    2. Even though Coco de Mer carries the likes of the crystal and feather Minx mentioned above (not to mention the 18K goldLelo Inez which clocks in at an obscene $10,500!), they've got some affordable, beautifully packaged stuff on their Gifts for Men / Gifts for Women pages, including a ginger and date massage candle ($48), vintage Playboys ($25), Coco de Mer Milk Bath ($25), In Fiore Decollete Balm ($50), Ruby Sunrise Lubricant for her and Gentleman's Relish Lubricant (both $27), a cheeky spanking ruler with the text "Teach me a lesson" ($13), the book "Twenty Love Poems by Pablo Neruda" ($13), and, our favorite, the "You Are My Pork Chop" card ($3).
    3. Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la Lelo! Regular readers of this site will know that we're huge fans of all things Lelo, the fabu Swedish sex toy designers. Treat the uninhibited man in your life to the unfortunately named Bob butt toy ($44), or the G-spot fanatic lady to the curved Ella dildo ($44). There are also the Luna Beads ($47), though considering they're for increasing the elasticity of your vadge, this might be the kind of gift better given by a close friend who's also just had a baby rather than by the husband of said new mom, ya know what we're sayin?
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  • Sandra Lee's Top 12 Tips for Holiday Entertaining Success

    1. Forgo a traditional floral centerpiece on the dining table and instead create a charming holiday scene featuring gingerbread houses or ceramic Christmas village miniatures. First sprinkle faux snow along the center of the table, then place homes, stores, trees and people to create a focal point that will delight guests of all ages.

    2. Rather than rushing out to buy expensive new china, glasses and silverware for a holiday get-together, consider renting it. No matter where you live, chances are there's a party rental store near you. The prices are reasonable and by renting rather than buying you also avoid having to store the items year after year.

    3. A simple way to give your holiday decorations a professionally decorated look is to stick to just two or three colors. Deciding on a palette before you shop makes the selection process quick and easy. Flameless candles are a great holiday decorating solution when

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  • I love Christmas dinner--sitting around the table over a lavish meal, drinking Champagne, reading the lame jokes in the Christmas crackers. What I'm not so crazy about is trying to fit in the prep for the meal along with decorating, shopping, baking cookies, going to parties, and everything else that comes with the season.

    There are ways to cope, though, without driving yourself crazy or appearing Scroogelike. My goal is to keep the prep to one hour (or less, if possible), so I can enjoy the party, too. Here are a few suggestions:

    Time-saving tips:

    1. Choose dishes that can be done ahead--if not the whole thing, than at least a good part of it. You want to avoid any last-minute fussing: A glazed ham is perfect, particularly if you're feeding a crowd. A roast with a simple pan sauce works, too. As for sides, you'd be surprised how many things can be made ahead and reheated, including mashed potatoes. Do-ahead directions are usually included at the end of a recipe.

    This Bourbon Glazed

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  • My family has survived a holiday tradition. We have cut down our Christmas tree.

    Sure, it sounds like fun. A happy family skips through the tree farm and finds the perfect tree. Dad cuts it down easily, without using any swear words at all. The kids watch him while sitting on logs and drinking hot chocolate. And Mom? Well, she's snapping pictures for their holiday scrapbook.

    That's not my family.

    No, my family is the one trudging through the tree farm, arguing over which tree would be perfect. We're the ones who have scoured the entire place for hours and still haven't found a tree. It's getting dark and cold. We're all out of hot chocolate. And pretty soon, we've walked so far, we can't even see the tree farm. In fact, we can't even see any trees at all. So we turn around and hike up the hill.

    After we get back to the tree farm, we're a lot less picky about our tree. We find one-but now comes the hard part-sawing it down. Have you ever used a saw at a Christmas tree

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  • Garrison ChocolatesGarrison Chocolates
    If you're thinking of gifting someone with a delicious box of chocolates, look no further than our top picks.

    BEST OF THE BUNCH: Garrison Confections Chocolatier
    Andrew Shotts's creations impress both the palate and the eye. One panelist said, "It's more than candy-it's art," while another thought, "Who knew it was possible for chocolate to be both bold and delicate at the same time?" (garrisonconfections.com)
    Read the full review »

    SAIL OF THE CENTURY: Harbor Sweets
    This company makes hand-dipped and molded chocolates, simple confections all wrapped in gold foil. We loved the Sweet Sloops-little boats of crunchy almond toffee topped with sweet white-chocolate sails. (harborsweets.com)
    Read the full review »

    HERBAL ESSENCES: Woodhouse Chocolate
    This Napa Valley chocolatier is known for arty, beautiful chocolates with vibrant flavors such as Thai ginger, honey and mint. One judge said, "The mint tastes amazing, like it was just picked from the garden." (woodhousechocolate.com)
    Read

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  • By Dr. Roberta Lee

    The holiday season definitely has its advantages: delicious meals, gift exchanges, fun trips and festive parties. But the flip side - a never-ending list of things to do, people to please and not enough time to do it in - can amplify your body's stress response. The result? Neck pain, headaches, indigestion, heightened irritability, repressed immunity and emotional sensitivity, to start. And then there's cardiovascular disease. In 2007, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that psychological stress can increase the risk of a life-threatening condition called heart arrhythmia, which can lead to increased heart attacks. Don't let this happen to you! Here are nine things you can do to take better care of yourself - in addition to everyone else - this holiday season:

    The Secret to Surviving the Holidays and the Recession

    1. Make a realistic to-do list. If your holiday is packed with tasks that only keep growing, prioritize by dividing your list into

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  • Here's how to make a smooth transition from work to party mode and make a memorable impact.
    - Lois Joy Johnson, BettyConfidential.com
    The holidays are here, and this means that it's the serious party season for working women. This year it's all about networking, securing your job or getting a new one. Don't be surprised to find last-minute evites in your inbox. And just in case you do, it's good to be prepared. Read on for some handy style tips for going from the computer to cocktails:

    1. Anticipate bad lighting at corporate cocktail parties. These big bashes are held in places where there are almost always overly bright lights that make everyone look shorter, fatter and shinier in post-party photos. Prepare with a matte powder foundation or pat a matte primer over your daytime makeup (paying special attention to the T-zone) before heading out. Trade your usual lip gloss and highlighter creams for lipstick in a luscious color and pinky powder blush. Slip on a body shaper and

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  • Hi Everyone!

    Happy Holidays! With everything I have to do on Christmas morning and for Christmas dinner, I was looking for something easy but delicious that I could make ahead of time and pop into the oven on Christmas morning. These easy and budget friendly Cinnamon and Sweet Rolls just fill the bill. They start with a sweet dough from your bread maker and you can make them ahead of time an then just pop them into the oven about 20 minutes before you want to eat them. Just be sure and let them come back up to room temp before you let them rise the second time. I make the cinnamon ones alot because they are our favs. They do not hang around long at all!


    Cheers!

    Beth


    http://www.examiner.com/x-18034-Nashville-Budget-Meals-Examiner~y2009m12d12-Cinnamon-and-sweet-rolls-from-your-bread-maker

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  • Even for people who love shopping, the holidays can be a minefield. You want to give something personal, but how can you guess the hearts' desires of the ones you wish to spoil? Is little Susie a Mac or a PC? Does your man want kitchen knives or a weed whacker? Can't remember if your guy even wears cuff links? The animal sign of your recipient can give you helpful hints about the presents they really want, and steer you clear of items likely to be re-gifted. Here's an easy cheat sheet identifying what's sure to please the animals in your life!

    Rat
    Self improvement is a Rat's motto. Anything that helps them be (or look like) an expert is appreciated. Gift suggestions: how-to books, embossed stationery, monogrammed accessories, executive accoutrements, personal grooming products.

    Ox
    Generous Ox genuinely enjoys sharing their gifts with others. Gift suggestions: homemade pie or desserts, specialty coffee or tea, a fruit-of-the-month club membership, a fresh wreath or seasonal decor,

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  • By: Jenny Zhang, Quizzle.com

    With the holidays around the corner, you're probably looking for gift ideas. And while we all have a good idea of what to get some people, there's always that certain few that are hard to shop for. To help with that mental block, here are some unique ideas that might just make for the perfect gift:

    1. For the Eco-Friendly

    For your friend or family member who drives a Prius, recycles everything and buys Energy Star-qualified products, how about some trees? The Arbor Day Foundation gives 10 free baby trees to anyone who signs up for a membership. Memberships cost just $10 for six months. Help your loved ones help the Earth - and bring a little green to their homes - by giving trees to plant.

    Another great site for green gifts is Guffly.com. They offer green, renewable, recycled and environmentally friendly products from jewelry to dog pillows.

    2. For the Artsy Type

    If you have a contemporary, artsy friend, the Skase Teacup Set

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