Holiday Gift Guide on Shine

Is it time to rethink the gift-giving process?

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With the holiday season right around the corner, the temptation to overspend exists. For some reason we feel a responsibility to extend ourselves financially to accommodate the holiday gift lists we receive from friends and family. At a time when many of us have personally felt the pressures of these tough economic times, it strikes me as the right time to revisit the gift wish list model and rethink the process.

Perhaps because I grew up in an immigrant household where holiday gifts and wish lists were considered undermining the fundamental purpose of the holidays, I never understood the idea of asking for and receiving specific gifts. To me, the gift list resembles a grocery store list and doesn't include any of the surprise, spiritual uplift, or thoughtfulness I associate with a gift. It's time to change the gift giving wish list model by focusing on the emotion and feeling associated with a gift, rather than the "perfect present."

For Last-Minute Shoppers: Free Last-Minute Shipping Deals

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Between the snow hitting many parts of the country, economic blues, and general procrastination, there are plenty of people out there who still have holiday shopping to do. Luckily, several online retailers are offering free two-day or overnight shipping (or...

Charitable Gifting 101

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In light of the current economic situation, more people are forgoing material gifts to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121803617.html?hpid=topnews">make donations</a> in honor of their family and friends this year....

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, Come Light the Menorah

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In honor of the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday, here's a really fun <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menorah_%28Hanukkah%29">menorah</a> designed by artist <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sandramagsamen.com/">Sandra...

A Handmade Scarf for Every Taste

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Living in a place where it snows seven months out of the year, I ascribe to the philosophy that you can never have enough scarves. It's important to stay warm, of course, but it is also nice to mix things up with a new look every once in a while. So a few months ago, I set out to...

Caution: Tighter Return Policies Ahead

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With the economy being what it is, every store is looking for creative ways to get — and keep — your money. Unfortunately for us consumers, that means some rigid return policies this holiday season. <span...

One Month Later: Your Favorite Gifts

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Today is <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.sweetfindsblog.com">Sweet Finds</a>' one-month anniversary, and to celebrate I thought I'd share the five most popular posts to-date. If you haven't been following us from the beginning, this is...

A Piece of the Depression Worth Savoring: Depression Glass Necklaces

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I've seen these depression glass necklaces in more than one

Bud Vases Aren't Just for Flowers

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Some might say you should have a garden before you have a bud vase. But I'm of the opinion that people can always use a cool bud vase, if for nothing more than decoration. That's why I bought a bunch of these <a rel="nofollow"...

May the Best Gift WIN.

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It's the holidays! Whether it be Christmas or Hanukkah, there are always gifts involved. But, it's important for the gifts that people are getting for their significant others, their close friends, or even the nice land lord on the upper level, to understand...