Holiday gifts to bring cheer to coffee and tea lovers

Delight the coffee connoisseur and tea aficionado on your holiday gift list with this season’s newest array of on-trend coffee brewers, colorful stovetop teakettles, and elegantly crafted infuser-style tea brewers.

Get creative with gift choices this holiday season

This year make some holiday gifts — or give presents that foster creativity in your family and friends. Woodcraft offers many choices for creative gift-giving, as well as more traditional tools and accessories for woodworkers and DIYers.

Woodcraft offers ideas for early holiday shopping

Avoid the crowds and start your holiday shopping now at Woodcraft, where you will find quality brand tools, accessories and supplies for the woodworkers and DIYers on your list. A few of the many gift ideas you will find at Woodcraft are featured below.

Storage solutions for shop, home and job sites

Bringing order to a daily routine often requires creative solutions. Let Woodcraft lend some assistance with handy products for storage and transport that make organizing shops, kitchens, bathrooms, craft rooms, and even job sites that much simpler.

Gifts that add colorful zest to cooking, baking and entertaining

Functional and practical, culinary gifts are always welcomed by cooks, bakers and frequent entertainers. Fortunately, for friends and family members who also covet great design and fashion trends, there’s a plethora of quality kitchen products available today with beautiful styling that’s too fun and vibrant to hide away in cabinets.

Films contribute to cherished holiday traditions and inspire great gifts

Tradition plays a pivotal role during the holiday season. While each family has its own unique holiday traditions, certain traditions are embraced and shared by families far and wide.

Move into the outdoors with wood furniture

It’s time to think about the “lazy days of summer” and create a comfortable, attractive outdoor living area that reflects your family’s lifestyle. Consider décor featuring wood furniture that you build yourself, using advice and products from Woodcraft. Or, if you already have wood furniture, let Woodcraft help you give it a new look — maybe distressed or antiqued or a brand-new color.

Holiday hosting how-to: Party pointers from three of Napa’s premier winemakers

Each year, holiday hosts face the challenge of setting their seasonal soirées apart from all the other parties guests attend between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Shop early for holiday gifts

Begin your holiday shopping early at Woodcraft, where you will find more than 20,000 products for woodworking, home/shop improvement and upcycling.

Gifts for the family cook spread holiday cheer all year

For the gift that keeps on giving long after the holidays, consider well-crafted kitchen tools and equipment that will inspire cooks to create delicious meals and treats all year round. To get started, here’s a short list of ten affordable culinary gifts under $50, including many that are new for this season:

Explore the ways to show you care this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the one day each year when men, women and children across the country gather to honor the mothers in their lives. Though it can be challenging to find new and unique ways to display your affection for Mom on Mother’s Day, rest assured that sometimes the simplest concepts are the ones mothers most appreciate.

Great gift ideas for everyone on your list

Holiday shopping season has hit full swing, and shoppers everywhere are searching far and wide for the perfect gifts for their family and friends. Veteran holiday shoppers know that no two people on their shopping lists are the same, which can complicate their quests for the perfect presents.

Kitchen Gift-Giving Made Easy with Personality Profiles

hose names on your holiday gift list are more than just people — they’re personalities. This simple shift in perspective can go a long way to help narrow down gift selections.

Shop Woodcraft for the woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers on your gift list

Make Woodcraft your gift headquarters this year for woodworking, home/shop improvement and upcycling tools and supplies. Choose from more than 20,000 products at Woodcraft retail stores nationwide, in the catalog and at Woodcraft.com. Check out a few of the products below, and keep in mind that a Woodcraft Gift Card is perfect for those who are a “gift-giving challenge.”

Give the gifts that keep on grilling

The summer celebration season is under way, and to help you find the perfect gift for the outdoor chef on your list the grilling experts at Broil King have put together a list of items for every type of grill master.

Clever ways to give cash gifts

Whether it's for a couple on their wedding day, a youngster just graduating high school or as a birthday gift to a beloved family member, cash has become an increasingly popular gift in recent years. Once considered impersonal, cash is now a go-to gift for shoppers whose foremost concerns are putting smiles on their loved ones' faces.

Woodcraft Offers Holiday Gift Ideas for DIY "Experts" and Woodworkers

From a versatile gyroscopic screwdriver to a handy pocket-sized LED light, Woodcraft offers more than 20,000 products -- all potential gifts for the do-it-yourselfer and/or woodworker -- at its retail stores nationwide, in its catalog and at woodcraft.com. View a few of these gift ideas below.

Celebrate the joy of baking with holiday gifts inspired by "The Boss"

The holidays are a perfect time to indulge in treats and spread the joy of baking with gifts that encourage friends and family to discover their inner baker. This season, there's more to choose from in the baking category with the launch of Cake Boss, an extensive line of more than 200 "Buddy approved" baking items designed in collaboration with Buddy Valastro, the star of TLC's hit reality show, "Cake Boss."

Grill accessories bring pure joy to the backyard chef

Whether you're a burger flipper or a culinary explorer, having the right tools to do the job is well worth it. This will make your life easier and the right accessories will also create the best possible result for whatever grilled masterpiece you're working on.

Gifts to thrill your dad at the barbecue

With Father's Day right around the corner, you can go back to the old standby tie and golf tees package or you can step up to something that will come in handy every time your dad (or anyone else) fires up the grill.

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining -- A Dozen Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On

Whether you're a seasoned cook and veteran at throwing parties, or new to the art of entertaining, hosting family and friends can provoke a condition that has been coined, "kitchen performance anxiety." With the holidays upon us, Meyer Corporation, U.S., the largest cookware company in America with long standing brands, such as Farberware and Anolon, enlisted the advice of Los Angeles-based party expert Diane Rossen Worthington for tips on how to alleviate stress and gain confidence hosting parties this time of year, and all four seasons.

Make your list and check it twice for safety

One thing that should be on your holiday shopping list this year is a reminder to watch for and avoid imitation products. Fake electronics and toys can be untested, uncertified, and unsafe.

Give the gift that keeps on grilling

Every seasoned backyard griller has a favorite tool. It could be an oversized turner, a pair of tongs that fits their hand just right, or even just a trusty grill brush. With summer celebrations just around the corner, the grilling experts at Broil King have some original gift ideas for the barbecue enthusiast.

Toddlers get a chance to ride

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and CAN-Bike, children two years of age and older who exhibit signs of pedalling and steering are at a good age to start learning to ride a bicycle.

Bicycle riding tips to give your toddlers more fun

The milestone of riding a bike is a big one for kids and their parents. With new equipment, toddlers can reach that two-wheeled milestone earlier than ever and enjoy many sidewalks and bike paths together.

5 thoughtful gifts that don't require much thought

Valentine's Day is prime season for florists, with floral sales capturing 40 percent of holiday dollar volume, according to data collected by IPSOS-Insight FloralTrends Consumer Tracking Study.

Creating a Delicious Party Together -- Tips to Newlyweds on Entertaining With Ease

Part of the fun of getting married and establishing a home together is sharing your new life -- and showing off all your exciting wedding presents -- with friends and family. Hosting parties and get-togethers is part of a typical rite of passage for newlyweds, and like any new venture, can lead to some anxiety.

Vintage T-Shirts Gain New Life as Unique Holiday Gifts

That sports jersey from sophomore year of high school has seen better days, but you can't seem to part with it even now. What about that hair band concert T-shirt you're too embarrassed to admit is still tucked in the back of your closet? Are the kids making fun of your college alma mater tee that has holes under the arms? T-shirts hold special places in the hearts of many people. Now quirky, athletic and downright memorable tees can be turned into customized gifts for everyone on a holiday shopping list.

Keep your family healthy through the holidays

The holiday season is upon us once again, and with it comes the season's notoriously hectic pace. With crowded social calendars and the stress of holiday shopping, it's easy to feel overwhelmed once the season hits full swing.
Unfortunately, many people have trouble staying healthy through the hectic holiday season.

The 529 college savings plan: a holiday gift that keeps on giving

The holiday season has arrived, and with it, the quest for the perfect gift. Hours spent at crowded shopping malls or perusing online retailers often prove fruitless, and shoppers commonly settle for something that falls short of perfect.

Cash registry:It does exist

It is sometimes difficult to ask for what you truly want as a gift. After all, you don't want to seem like you are picky, overly choosy or ungrateful when receiving gifts. So for holidays and birthdays you may make do with keeping mum and being thankful for those sweaters or knickknacks you don't need. But what about when it comes to your wedding?

Keep kids learning during the holidays

Don't let the fun and food of the holidays interfere with your child's learning. Video games and flashy electronic toys may appeal to many kids, but often don't work your child's mind as well as non-electronic games and puzzles. Parents shouldn't fret, however.

Impressive holiday entertaining with Atlantic salmon

With the holiday season approaching again, our thoughts turn to entertaining friends and family over mouth-watering food and a bit of the bubbly. And while in hindsight we often remember the best of the season -- the good cheer, relaxed atmosphere and delighted taste buds -- we too often forget the stress and preparation that come before a holiday party at home.

A New Gift for Your Golfer

Perhaps no amateur athlete is more committed to his or her sport or dedicated to improving his or her skill than a golfer. If you have a golfer in your life, you may have already given up on giving golf-related gifts because they usually nab the latest and greatest club, ball or gizmo before you do ... or your gifts just end up gathering dust because the products simply don't work.
This year, break your golf-gift slump by giving a gift that actually works, with results backed by a recent study.

Finding a perfect gift for the person who has everything

Holiday shoppers know all too well about the endless and often exhausting search for the perfect holiday gift. Such a search most often surrounds that one stickler on everyone's holiday shopping list, the person who seemingly has it all and annually proves puzzling to shop for.

Holiday Entertaining Simplified Time- and Money-Saving Tips for Holiday Gatherings

The holidays are a season for savoring moments with loved ones shared over delicious foods. Whether you prefer buffet get-togethers or intimate dinners, simplifying the details by planning and prepping as much as possible in advance are surefire ways to save time and money. Here are a few helpful tips to take the stress out of holiday entertaining by keeping it simple and budget-friendly.

Gift wrapping tricks and tips

The holidays are here and that means shoppers have started to stockpile gifts for those they love. Once the shopping rush is over, the time to wrap all of those great finds and treasures has come.

Last-minute shopping for the holidays

It's December 22 and you've just barely made it through half of your holiday shopping list. The panic may have set in that you just don't have enough time to get everything done.

Gifts for auto afficionados

Few passions are as strong as the passion a car lover has for automobiles. Auto afficionados are often walking encyclopedias about all things automotive. When it comes to the holiday season, buying a gift for the car guy or gal in your family might seem easy. After all, any gift related to cars is sure to leave your loved one head over heels.

These gifts are music to music lovers' ears

Taste in music is a topic of eternal debate. Whether a person's interests lean toward the Beatles or the Beastie Boys, there's no denying most people love listening to music. Music can lift our moods and help us through difficult times, and it can also make the good times that much more enjoyable.

Gifts to make foodies say, "Mmmmm"

Cooking is a rewarding hobby and meals, when shared with friends and family, are a great opportunity to sit down and stay abreast of all the goings-on in the lives of your loved ones. For some, however, food is more than just a hobby, it's a passion.

Gift ideas for the family sports fan

Sports fans are a unique breed of people who range from avid devotees to casual observers. Come the holiday season, perhaps no gift is more appropriate for a sports fan than something that makes the big game that much better. This holiday season, shoppers searching for the right gift for their sports-crazed love ones might consider the following gift ideas.

The chilling facts about hypothermia

Hypothermia is no laughing matter. Information from the National Center for Health Statistics and Statistics Canada state that approximately 800 Americans and 140 Canadians die each year as a result of hypothermia.

Stuff Their Stockings with Solutions for Their Sleigh

Whether the person on your gift list loves anything with wheels, has a new car under the tree or just needs a few holiday tips to make their "lump of coal" car shine like a holiday ornament, here are some easy ideas for stuffing their stockings.

Popping the question? Simple tips so she'll say 'yes'

According to David Tutera(TM), wedding guru and party-planning expert, "Men should propose with personality, making it echo something meaningful to your relationship with one another and do it in a place that highlights your love story." That certainly sounds like good advice. But while women seem to have the knack for conjuring up perfect wedding-related ideas, men tend to be a bit clueless on the subject.

Puzzles, games and educational value

Why do people buy and play games? Entertainment value certainly factors in, but there are several other benefits to puzzles and games, including their educational value.

Be Charitable Without Spending Money

According to Charity Navigator, a nonprofit organization that monitors charities, Americans gave more than $290 billion to charity in 2010. Thirty-five percent of all donations went to religious organizations. Much of these contributions can be attributed to people giving to their local place of worship. Donations toward educational services and programs were the second most common types of donations.

Imported holiday gifts

People shopping for toys and presents this holiday season who are also trying to be conscientious of buying American or Canadian may want to pay more attention to the items they are getting.

The Gift of Good Taste that Lasts Quality Cookware on Any Budget

Managing a holiday shopping budget can be a daunting task. While there's constant temptation to buy the latest must-have on the "hot" list, it pays to mindfully shy away from fads in favor of gifts that offer genuine value and lasting enjoyment.

Each Purchase Gives a Woman Purpose

The US has a greater poverty gap between men and women than any other country in the Western World. This holiday season, become a part of the solution to domestic poverty and help close the gap by giving a gift from Women's Bean Project. Women's Bean Project is a nonprofit business that helps women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment.

Gift Ideas for the "Home Care Specialists"

Give your friends and family members who handle home improvement and maintenance projects gifts to help them work efficiently, successfully and safely. Woodcraft offers the following holiday gift suggestions.

E-cards an alternative, not replacement to paper Christmas greetings

Estimates say that 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold in the United States each year. That's enough paper to fill a football field 10 stories high. Most of these cards end up in a trash can come the end of the year, which contributes to the millions of pounds of extra trash generated during the holidays.

Giving on a tight budget

As global economic woes continue, holiday spending remains difficult to predict. In 2010, holiday spending rose more than five percent from the year before, according to MasterCard AdvisorsTM SpendingPulseTM. That increase surprised forecasters, many of whom predicted holiday spending would decline for the fifth straight year.

Last minute holiday shopping tips

Nearly everyone has a last minute holiday shopping horror story to tell. Be it a late-season grab for a child's must-have gift or fighting fellow procrastinators for a parking spot come the waning days of the season, veteran shoppers have experienced it all.

Gift cards not always the best option

As people gear up to do their holiday shopping this year, gift cards figure to remain a popular choice for gifting. But the hidden pitfalls of gift cards may make giving cash or a check a better bet.

Toys through history that caused a 'feeding' frenzy

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the store; Parents seek the hottest toy, while sales clerks shout, "No more!"

Shipping gifts more than just timing

When shipping holiday gifts, much of the focus is on getting those gifts in the mail on time. While it's important to avoid procrastinating when shipping holiday gifts, there's more to shipping gifts than just getting them sent out promptly. When shipping holiday gifts this season, consider the following tips.

Credit Crunch Managing credit cards during the holidays

The holiday season is synonymous with many things. Among those things is holiday shopping. Some people revel in holiday shopping, while others would just as soon never see a mall again the rest of their lives.

Survive holiday shopping with kids in tow

Tackling a holiday gift list -- particularly at the peak of the season -- can be stressful even for enthusiastic shoppers. But bringing kids along for the ride can be enough to inspire the most passionate purchasers to forsake shopping -- at least brick-and-mortar shopping -- forever. While leaving the kids behind may be optimal, here are some surefire strategies for surviving your next consumer outing with little ones in tow.

Kids and gifts: How many is too much?

Despite the many messages from all corners promoting a "more is better" philosophy when it comes to holiday gifts, the truth is far more complex -- especially for children. While most parents work hard to give their kids everything they need and much of what they want, it is often hard to draw the line, prompting many well intentioned moms and dads to ask, "How much is too much?"

Gifts from bad to worst

Great gifts are great for a multitude of reasons, but bad gifts tend to have a lot in common. The worst gifts are not only a poor fit with the recipient's personality, lifestyle or interests, but also send a negative or critical message.

Daily deals make great holiday gifts

Over the last few years, daily deal sites have grown enormously in both popularity and membership. The largest of these sites -- Groupon, Living Social, Woot and Eversave -- are all expected to draw large crowds of virtual shoppers on the hunt for gift deals this holiday season.

Popularity of conventional shopping malls on the decline

Shopping malls as we know them may soon be a thing of the past. While these shopping complexes, typically with interconnecting walkways and large parking areas, have been symbols of suburban success since the mid-1950s, today's conventional malls are facing daunting challenges.

Sensible planning makes for smart holiday shopping

The holiday season is among the most stressful times of year. With long lists of things to do, meals to prepare, family and friends to entertain, and gifts to buy, many people embark on the holiday season with more fear than cheer. And with so many people trying to spend less these days, preparing for the holidays has become that much more challenging.

Secure your identity when shopping online

There is no denying that shopping online is the quickest and easiest way to zip through a holiday shopping list. With a few clicks and keystrokes, it's possible to have all of your Christmas shopping done in no time. But as many people have found out -- the hard way -- purchasing via the Internet can be risky business, especially during the holiday season when shoppers are pressed for time and make hasty decisions.

Layaway plans make a comeback

If you thought layaway plans had gone the way of eight-track players and floppy disks, think again. The deferred payment or installment plan, once popular with budget-conscious consumers — especially during the holiday season — is making a big comeback.

Dos and don'ts for exchanging gifts with coworkers

While there is nothing inherently complicated about choosing tokens of appreciation for one's associates or superiors, the challenge is not just choosing the right token, but in choosing something without the potential to offend or confuse the recipient.

Like Father, Like Son Dads' nurturing paves the way for future fantastic fathers

Parenting is hard work, and raising boys can be particularly challenging. Having fathers who show compassion, nurturing and caring can help shape what kinds of fathers, uncles and husbands they'll become someday.

Gift baskets make an easy, affordable option

The go-to gift of late is the gift card. Chance are, though, that recipients -- although thrilled that they can do their own shopping -- may find gift cards a bit impersonal.

Keep children fit through fun this summer

Fresh air and outdoor fun are beneficial to maintaining your physical and mental health. Outdoor toys are a great way to keep your children outside, active and having fun during the summer months.

Encourage learning all summer long

Don't let summer fun interfere with your child's learning. Research has shown that kids can lose much of what they learned during the school year during the summer months, a phenomenon known as "summer brain drain."

This holiday season, give the gift of no stress

Tension is who you think you should be," according to a wonderful Chinese proverb. "Relaxation is who you are."
Medical science has in recent years confirmed that stress-reduction is good for the body, but this charming old saying makes a case for it being good for the soul as well!

Designer Q&A Offers Inside Advice on Clothing Gifts

It's the season for holiday hustle and bustle and shoppers are seeking the perfect gifts for friends and family members. When given the choice of gifts, statistics show that clothing purchases and accessories top the list of the most popular, garnering 58 percent of the gifting share.

Cherished Heirlooms Make Great Holiday Gifts

In this day and age of rapidly advancing technology, what's here today is not only gone tomorrow, it may very well be gone tonight. With that in mind, holiday shoppers are increasingly reticent when shopping for friends and family, fully aware the "perfect gift" they find at their neighborhood retailer might be obsolete by the time the New Year rolls around.

Choosing Cookware with Confidence, Dispelling Misconceptions for Perfect Match at Bridal Registries

Getting married can be a full time job, especially when it comes to deciding what to register for wedding gifts. A seemingly endless array of kitchen products for cooking and entertaining can entice, but also overwhelm bridal couples.

Getting Engaged Is Just the Beginning ... Now What?

Are you one of the thousands of couples who got engaged over the holidays? This is the time for you and your soon-to-be to get everything you ever wanted -- whether you're starting from scratch, upgrading, expanding or replacing. Turn a whole bunch of mismatched mine and yours into a lifetime of ours.

Gift Your Groomsmen for Under $50

When it comes to planning a wedding, grooms often take a backseat to their blushing brides. While men no longer serve a strictly spectator role when it comes to planning a wedding, much of the ins and outs of the wedding remain the bride's domain.

Think Outside the Box When Gifting Today's Newlyweds

Few, if any, days are as memorable as a couple's wedding day. Months and sometimes years of anticipation finally culminate with a walk down the aisle, and wedding guests often look for ways to make the day even more memorable with a gift befitting their favorite newlyweds.

Affordable Luxuries Holiday Gifts Under $50

Yes, the economy has us worried and many holiday shoppers know there isn't as much available cash for this season's gifts as in years past.

Battle the Bulge In As Little As 10 Minutes This Holiday Season

The holiday season is synonymous with many things, including holiday shopping, Santa Claus and gatherings with family and friends.

Vintage T-Shirts Gain New Life as Unique Holiday Gifts

(MS) -- That sports jersey from sophomore year of high school has seen better days, but you can't seem to part with it even now. What about that hair band concert T-shirt you're too embarrassed to admit is still tucked in the back of your closet? Are the kids making fun of your college alma mater tee that has holes under the arms? T-shirts hold special places in the hearts of many people.

Branded Gifts: Tiny Investments with Unparalleled ROI Why Companies Should Consider Promotional Branded Gifts This Holiday Season

With the holiday season right around the corner, many businesspeople have turned their attentions to finding just the right 'special something' for everyone on their list. Branded products are an ideal way for businesses to show how much they appreciate their customers and clients, also expressing how much they look forward to working with them in the year ahead.

Find the Right Fit For Everyone On Your List

With the holidays upon us, shoppers across the country are once again agonizing over what to get their family and friends. While holiday shopping once consisted of a necktie for Dad, a comfy robe for Mom and some toys for the kids, today's holiday shopping list is much more complicated than that.

Bake a Warm Welcome for Holiday Gatherings

The holiday season is a time for reuniting with friends and family, and sharing delicious oven-baked recipes. Whether you're hosting a family reunion, or rolling out the welcome mat for overnight houseguests, prepping in advance and simplifying baking tasks helps to create a festive mood that everyone will enjoy, including you.

Keep This in Mind When Making Gift Returns

Many of the gifts bought this holiday season will end up becoming returns. But not all of those returns or exchanges will be easy. Stores have return policies to protect themselves from fraud and financial loss. The wise consumer knows what to expect.

Gift Ideas for the Household Handyman

Many homeowners have taken cues from the recession and are choosing to stay in their homes a little longer rather than sell in a buyers' market. Those who want to make their current abodes more livable or attractive to future buyers may choose home improvements that raise the value and/or add more space.

Gift Ideas for the Family Music Maven

Every family has at least one, and every one has several family members who simply don't know what to get them come the holiday season.

Gift Ideas for the On-the-Go Business Pro

Pack your suitcases, business travelers. According to a report from the National Business Travelers Association, global business travel is on the rise once again. After a recession-related dip in business travel spending in 2009, forecasters predict a 6.2 percent increase by the end of 2010 and an even brighter forecast for 2011, when researchers suspect business travel spending will surpass the 2008 peak of $926 billion.

Hot Holiday Gift Ideas to Match Every Cook's Style

For the cooking enthusiasts on your gift list, hone in on each person's style of cooking and entertaining to find the perfect match from today's ever-widening array of culinary tools and equipment. To help streamline your shopping this season, here are some new and recently launched products that are sure to get lots of smiles and good use in the kitchen.

Give Kids the Gift of Going Green This Holiday Season

Few movements in the 21st century have proven as popular as the "Go Green" movement. An effort to live with a more eco-conscious mindset, the Go Green movement has found entree into all aspects of life, be it the foods we eat, the cars we drive or the products we buy.

How to Pick the Right Doll This Holiday Season

For a little girl, there is no more magical gift to receive during the holidays then a beautiful new doll. Despite all the high tech toys, classic doll play has stood the test of time giving children today the same wonderful imaginative play experiences as they did centuries ago.

Devouring Fruitcake Facts

The holidays and fruitcake have long been intertwined. Fruitcakes are often mocked, detested and discarded. Few gifted foods create such strong derision. However, fruitcake is tradition. And as most people know, Christmas is all about tradition.

Gift Ideas When You're Pressed for Time

The Christmas countdown has begun, and the days will no doubt fly off the calendar like they do every year. Before you know, it's only a few days until the holiday is here.

Turn Ho-Hum Holiday Greetings Into Ho, Ho, Hot Stuff

Holiday greetings are an annual tradition. The average person will mail out 28 cards to family and friends. Setting greetings apart from others with a personalized photo can make the holidays that much more unique.

Hot Holiday Toys for 2010

Every child wants the popular toys for Christmas. Each year parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles head to the stores in search of those sold-out items and must-have gifts.
So what gifts are bound to be snatched from toy store shelves this season? Here are a few that kids are bound to be requesting.
* Moon Dough: Moon Sand is a popular molding product that doesn't dry out. The trouble is, it tends to be messy. Moon Dough is a less sticky version that's easier on clean-up.
* Tickle Me Elmo: That loveable Elmo is back in an 'extreme' version. He laughs, tells jokes and rolls to the ground in fits of laughter. Elmo can even get back up to a standing position.
* "Twilight" Action Figures: Based on the popular "Twilight" saga, these action figures are bound to be the next collectibles for kids who love "Bella," "Jacob" and "Edward." Girls and boys can continue to play out the popular tale of vampires and werewolves at home.
* Furby: Furby is back, probably as a result of the popularity of last year's Zhu Zhu pets. This incarnation of Furby can react with true emotions thanks to new technology.
* Furry Frenzies: Also banking on the popularity of Zhu Zhu pets is Hasbro's version of electronic pets. These creatures can interact with one another and scurry around playsets, which are sold separately.
* Dance Star Mickey: In Elmo-like fashion, this doll dances, talks and moves. Kids who are enamored with all things Disney certainly will be requesting their favorite mouse.
* Extreme Micro RC Helicopter: This infrared helicopter is the smallest on the market and can dart and fly around inside or outdoors.
* Rock Band: The Beatles: Those who love previous incarnations of Rock Band and playing along to favorite songs will enjoy The Beatles version. It's bound to be "Beatlemania" all over again!
* Star Wars Force Jedi Trainer: This toy uses brain wave technology and measures how kids concentrate. Players follow the directions to make their way toward Jedi master.
Other toys and gaming systems are bound to be favorites again this year. Expect kids to be collecting and trading more Silly Bandz in many different shape themes. Nintendo Wii needs no introduction. With scores of game offerings, this gaming system is still tops on holiday gift lists. Expect to see different high-tech educational items for children, including digital book readers and coloring sets geared toward helping kids learn writing and reading skills. GG10B070

Familiar Friend an Option for Cash-Strapped Shoppers

Layaway, a shopping tool popularized in years past, is now available again through many retailers. Shoppers who are making every cent count are turning to the pay-over-time method of purchase to avoid mounting debt after the holidays.

Regifting Can Be 'Green' If Done the Right Way

The practice of regifting has been the butt of many jokes throughout the years. Some people are known to be serial regifters, and family and friends dread exchanging gifts with these people. However, is it tacky or trendy to give away the items received that can't be returned or put to good use?

Great Gifts for the Family Auto Enthusiast

Finding the perfect gift for the automotive enthusiast on your shopping list isn't always easy, but there are a variety of useful and inexpensive products on the market today. First and foremost, holiday shoppers should determine the level of involvement your gift recipient has in his or her automotive hobby.

Family Games That Combine Fun and Learning Fit the Bill

With dollars tighter than ever for many families this holiday season, some parents are putting an increased focus on choosing toys and games that fulfill several of their children's needs in a single package, at a single price.

Kitchenware the Gift of Choice with Home Cooking on the Rise

Mastering cooking techniques and learning a few easy to follow recipes can make eating at home truly pleasurable and a lot healthier than eating take out and restaurant food. Consequently, this season is the perfect time to choose culinary gifts for just about everyone on the gift list -- from singles and newlyweds, to parents and children. Here are a few suggestions of new kitchen equipment available this fall at stores nationwide.

Simple Handmade Gifts Bring Treasured Memories and Big Savings

Holiday gift-giving can be extremely stressful for even the most experienced shoppers. Deciding how much to spend, which brands to choose and what size to get are enough to frazzle those fragile holiday nerves. This year, Brad Staggs, HGTVPro.com and DIY show producer/host and licensed contractor, has some excellent advice for all gift-givers: make your own!

Thomas the Tank Engine Keeps Holiday Tradition Alive

Train sets and the holidays are a longtime family tradition. Just in time for the upcoming season, model train manufacturer Bachmann Trains, in a partnership with HIT Entertainment, is pleased to offer the HO scale Thomas' Holiday Special electric train set as part of their Thomas & Friends(TM) line, sure to become a new holiday classic.

Holiday Gifts on a Budget

Whether shopping online or in person, be sure to check with one or more Internet price-comparison sites on the Internet, such as PriceGrabber.com, Yahoo! Shopping, DealTime.com or NexTag.com. Another money-saving strategy is to stick with homemade and semi-homemade gifts. Such gifts are both relatively inexpensive and can also add a welcome personal touch to holiday giving.

Office Gift Giving Etiquette

Giving a holiday gift to a coworker or boss is a wonderful way to show appreciation and share the holiday spirit. The challenge comes in choosing the right gifts for the right people. Before heading out to shop with your office gift list in hand, take a moment to remember that the guidelines for choosing gifts for colleagues are different from those you use with family and friends.

When Buying Kids' Gifts, Follow a Few Simple Rules

Choosing holiday gifts for kids -- even your own -- can be an exercise in frustration. With so many types of toys on the market for kids of every age and stage, it's often hard to know where to begin looking in the store, much less which toys to consider. But by sticking to a few simple rules of thumb, your holiday gifts will bring smiles to the faces of both kids and parents all year long.

Money and Time Saving Tips for Holiday Shoppers

Time is often scarce once the holiday season rolls around. With busy social schedules and commitments to family and friends, many people are left looking for any way to save a little time. The holiday season also means that many people are searching for ways they can save a little money. Fortunately, there are ways to do both while still ensuring loved ones are smiling when the big day arrives.

Unique Collection Makes the Perfect Gift for the Family Artist

While nearly everyone has a hard-to-shop-for friend or relative on their holiday shopping list, finding the right fit for the family artist can be even more difficult. However, thanks to noted Japanese design house Felissimo, finding the perfect artistically-inspired gift is no longer an obstacle.

Creativity at the Core of the Perfect Holiday Gift

With the holidays upon us once again, the endless and often exhausting search for the perfect gift has no doubt returned as well. And just like shoppers can rely on long lines at the mall and crowded parking lots, they can also count on that one friend or family member on their holiday shopping list who seemingly has it all, making them nearly impossible to shop for.
Though there's little shoppers can do when it comes to long lines at the mall or crowded parking lots, fortunately there are steps shoppers can take to make even the most difficult person on their list a cinch to shop for.

Survey Reveals Gaming the Medium of Choice Parents Can Use Games to Foster Kids' Development

While the results likely do not surprise the nation's parents, they more than likely do cause some concern, as many parents worry their children rely too much on video games for entertainment. Recognizing those concerns, Activision has teamed with Dr. Cheryl Olson, co-director for the Center for Mental Health and Media, to produce a series of seven videos that provide information on how parents and teachers can optimize children's use of games and key issues parents face with respect to children or adolescents and video games.

Inspired Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen

Food gifts are especially perfect for friends, neighbors, teachers, and others for whom more elaborate gifts are neither expected nor required. What's more, the possibilities are endless and can be adjusted for varying palates, allergies and preferences. Here are several suggestions for serving up delicious holiday gifts this season.

The ABCs of Choosing Gifts for Teachers

The tradition of giving gifts to teachers during the holiday season is still going strong. But many parents -- particularly those with children who are new to school -- can be unsure of what kinds of gifts are appropriate and will be most welcomed by their children's teachers.

Great Gift Ideas for Senior Citizens

Unlike kids who would enjoy the newest video game or a gadget-crazy adult who just wants the latest must-have appliance, senior citizens are often more difficult to shop for. That might be due in part to seniors living on fixed incomes or seniors who might no longer be physically capable of participating in their favorite activities. However, there are gift ideas that can still strike a chord with grandma or grandpa and ensure their holiday is just as enjoyable as everyone's.

Train a Dragon This Spring Break!

Activision's How to Train Your Dragon(TM), which is based on the upcoming film from DreamWorks Animation, is a game that the whole family will love. How to Train Your Dragon, rated "E10+" by the ESRB, launches players into a medieval third-person action-adventure as a Viking hero, where they must embark upon an epic quest to explore an island of unending challenges and become the ultimate dragon trainer.

Easy Baking

The ultimate easy baking experience was brought to life in 1963 when the Easy Bake Oven was introduced as a children's toy.

Collectibles All the Craze with Kids

One thing that hasn't changed over the years, however, is kids' passion for collecting. From baseball cards to Pokemon to stamps, kids have always loved to collect fun stuff. When looking to put a smile on your child or grandchild's face, consider the following tips for giving collectibles.

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