| Here are some simple ideas for decorating and gifts | | | | decorated with holiday stickers to give to friends and |
| that should help you glide into an enjoyable holiday. | | | | family. |
| Effortless touches can look extravagant without much | | | | Don't despair if you are still racking your brain for a |
| fuss. Tea lights put into clean jars and bottles with | | | | few last minute gifts. Try these effortless ideas: |
| colorful ribbon tied around the top can make a lovely | | | | Go green with reusable glass water bottles in bright |
| and inexpensive table centerpiece or mantle piece. | | | | colors or give a subscription to a junk mail reduction |
| Add a festive touch to the dining room with colorful | | | | service. Charitable donations are thoughtful, |
| balls hanging from ribbon on the chandelier. Or place | | | | eco-friendly gifts that give twice. |
| glass ornaments in a bowl for a quick splash of color in | | | | For a super quick way to shop try giftzip, a |
| any room. | | | | clearinghouse of sorts for gift cards from hundreds of |
| Look outside for interesting bits of branches with dried | | | | retailers. It is a free service and can save shoppers |
| berries or an array of little acorns. Make it a scavenger | | | | the effort of going to multiple locations to pick up the |
| hunt with the kids for an entertaining afternoon. Then | | | | cards. It can also be a good way of getting ideas as |
| spray paint your finds with gold and silver and | | | | you browse the handy categories, like kids, tech and |
| intersperse them with greenery for an eye-catching | | | | gourmet. Put the cards in small gift bags filled with |
| mantle display. | | | | candy. |
| Have fun adding to a collection you may not have | | | | Gift baskets can be easy and relatively inexpensive |
| realized you had of holiday decorations. Group | | | | gifts. A collection of pasta and gourmet sauces or |
| together Santas, snowmen or angels to liven up the | | | | chips and unusual salsas in a basket with pretty tea |
| corner of a room; once you get started gathering you | | | | towel make a nice present; walk through a bookstore |
| may be surprised by how many you have. Also, | | | | and pick an assortment of books to put into a vivid |
| adding to someone else's holiday collection can make | | | | fabric book bag; or for the relative with a green thumb |
| a thoughtful gift. | | | | pick up seed packets, gardening tools and a new pair |
| Take some flower pots and spray paint them green, | | | | of work gloves to put in a flower pot. Homemade gift |
| red, gold and silver. For an added touch, stencil on a | | | | cards tied with fabric ribbon are also a nice touch. |
| tree or holly leaves. Then put fresh plants like | | | | Disposable cameras and little photo albums make |
| poinsettias or amaryllis for a welcoming holiday display | | | | fantastic stocking stuffers for kids and teens. Let them |
| by the front door. It would also make a lovely hostess | | | | have fun catching the festivities of Christmas day and |
| gift. | | | | then put the pictures in the album after they are |
| A fun family project could be baking sugar cookies to | | | | developed for an amusing look back on a special day. |
| decorate and hang on a wreath or put into bags | | | | |