Merry Christmas!

That's it for this blog for now - this has been a lot of fun. I may start a more non-Christmas gift blog, and I'll post occasionally throughout the year. I expect to be back next year to help you celebrate Christmas.

In the meantime, if you want any ideas for final gifts when you shop tomorrow, check out these sites: Wow Christmas Gifts, Best Selling Christmas Toys, About Bratz, About Halo 2, and Remote Control RC.

Finally, I want to wish each and every one of you all the very best of the season - and a wonderful New Year, too.

Today's Laughs

I have 3 today - enjoy...

Marvin

Non Sequitur

Adam

VERY Last Minute Gift: "Make Cookies Just Like Grandma Used to Make!"

This book has 228 heirloom cookie recipes with some going back to colonial days and around the world. It's called 'Fabulous Old-Time Cookies.'

Each recipe is on it's own page for easy use. And it's an electronic book (ebook), so you can order it now and print it out on your printer in time for Christmas.

Very yummy! Check it out.

The Truth about Mistletoe

This article on the truth about mistletoe is a fun read...

Great Party Idea: Christmas Carols

Last night we went to a wonderful Christmas party. The hostess wanted us to sing Christmas carols. So, she got on the Internet, and then printed the words from quite a few Christmas carols on red and green construction paper to create a little booklet of carols.

It was really fun - and I learned the words to a lot of carols. Highly recommended if you're giving a party.

Today's Chuckle

Enjoy!

Last Minute Gifts are Still Possible

Only 3 more sleeps. ;-)

If you're anything like me, you still have some last minute gifts to pick up - for folks you find hard to buy for, or for someone who's just announced they'll see you for Christmas, for example.

Don't panic. :)

It's still possible to get lots of last minute gifts. Some things are instantly downloadable, others will guarantee that they'll be shipped TODAY, and still others might just require a phone call.

From concert tickets to retail gift certificates, it's entirely possible to find last minute gifts for young and old alike - and in every budget amount.

With just a few clicks of your mouse, you'll have all those last minute gifts for all those hard-to-buy-for folks that are last on your list. Here are some great last minute gifts suggestions... good luck!

Today's Chuckle

I laughed at this one...

Are You Going To Survive The Holidays?

It's too late for some of these tips, but there is a lot of useful advice here, even at this late date. Check out this article called 'Are You Going To Survive The Holidays?'

Discover What's New in the World of Model Trains and Electric Trains

Electric trains debuted in 1901 as part of a store window display, and have been fun for children and collectors ever since.

Today, model trains are collector's items and a hugely popular hobby among young and old alike.

Check out some of the most popular model trains and electric trains this year.

A Very Interesting List of Unsafe Toys

The National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) has compiled their list of specific toys that aren't safe -- it was updated in October and November 2004. Check it out.

Today's Christmas Chuckle

Enjoy...

There's Still Time to Arrange for Some Unique Gifts

Unique gifts can be key when you've known someone for a long time, can't they?

When you've bought a gift for someone year after year - whether it's a spouse, a close friend, or a 'secret sister' doesn't seem to matter - it's just hard to come up with unique gifts every year, and yet it's so important!

There is still time to arrange for unique gifts, though, and you just need a little imagination, really. Would your recipient prefer tickets to a movie or a concert or art show, rather than a retail gift, for example? Or have you thought about a 'living' gift - a plant or a pet, perhaps?

Another idea for unique gifts is to donate something to a community organization in your recipient's name. For example, many animal rescue associations allow you to 'adopt' an animal in someone's name. I know someone who 'adopted' a bald eagle for her spouse one year - and it was the one gift he raved about the most!

For lots more unique gifts and ideas, click here.

Beware of PCs bearing unwanted Christmas gifts

If you receive a new computer, the anti virus and anti spyware software may be out of date, so be sure to update them.

To learn all about anti virus issues and spyware, visit Internet ScamBusters.

Today's Smile...

Enjoy this one -- it's not new but it's cute.

Regifting, Without Guilt

One of the most frequently asked holiday etiquette questions involves the practice of re-gifting. For some pros and cons, as well as some tips if you plan to re-gift, click here.

Not Surprisingly, Harry Potter is Hot This Year

In addition to the books, there are lots of Harry Potter games, dishes, Legos, clothing items and other novelty gifts on the market this year. Check out the most popular Harry Potter gifts here.

Stay Safe - Protect Yourself From Holiday Scams

Check out these 5 popular holiday scams and find out how to shop safely online.

Today's Laugh

This one makes me smile...

Scooters: An Excellent Choice

Scooters have been great gifts for decades - but they are becoming more safe, more sophisticated, and a lot more fun as the years go by.

Check out some of the best selling scooters - for kids - here.

Gifts for Children - Think Outside the Box

It's easy to buy gifts for children if you're only thinking about toys.

Even then, it's always a good idea to get some guidelines, though - for example, the media tells us what the hottest Christmas toys are every year, and you can often look up recommendations for the safest toys, as well.

But there are other kinds of gifts for children if you don't want to just buy toys - again.

If you think outside the box this year, there are lots of choices for gifts for children. Consider some of these alternatives: lessons in something they'd enjoy (karate, dance or gymnastics, for example); trips to interesting places to explore (the local museum, historical sites or parks); or subscriptions to magazines, craft kits or science experiments - all available through online searches.

For some good ideas for gifts for kids who are younger, click here.

Enjoy thinking outside the box for unusual gifts for children this year!

Decorate Safely for the Holidays

Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.

So, here are some more safety tips for decorating safely for the holiday season.

Today's Laugh

This one is a classic...

The Nigerian Santa Scam

Here's a very different site - Letters from Bad Santa - for people with a certain sense of humor. My favorite part was the Nigerian Santa scam.

A Hostess Christmas Gift - Not Expected, But Always Appreciated

A Christmas gift for your host or hostess is appropriate, and always a good idea, if you are going to be a guest in anyone's home this Season.

Your host probably won't expect a Christmas gift - we're all so much less formal than we used to be, aren't we? - but it's such a nice gesture.

Did you know that the old English word "wassail" is associated with Christmas socializing? It comes from the Old Norse "ves heill", which means 'to be of good health'. To 'wassail' eventually evolved into the tradition of visiting neighbors and friends on Christmas Eve - and drinking to their health, of course.

Many of us have carried on this fine tradition - not just on Christmas Eve, but throughout the holiday season. How many people have you said, 'Oh, let's get together over the holidays!' to? And how many social events will you attend?

So if this Christmas will see you doing any wassailing (which is NOT the same as 'sailing', by the way ;- ) - if someone's taking you sailing this Christmas, you might want to check out these great nautical gifts, though!), consider getting a small Christmas gift for your host - you'll probably find a good Christmas gift idea right here...

New Easy Bake Oven Still Providing Fun and Education for Little Girls (and Some Little Boys)

Since 1963, there have been a total of 11 Easy Bake Oven models. It's a very popular toy this year - the technology has completely changed, and the new name reflects this. It's now called the 'Easy Bake Real Meal Oven.' Click here to see the most popular Easy Bake Ovens.