a better gift giving guide

“It’s that time of year again.  You know, still a few weeks away from Halloween, and yet Christmas trees and decorations are available in retail stores, and holiday gift giving guides are popping up all over the internet.  Invariably, they are lists of the hot toys and gadgets of 2010 – the things that your loved ones will supposedly want and appreciate the most this holiday season.

But are any of you tired of the commercial feeding frenzy that seems to take over the last couple months of the year?  Do you ever complain about the crowds, the lists, the effort required to find just the right gift, the stress, and all the hoopla?  Do you struggle to rid your house of clutter only to find that it comes crowding back in – nicely wrapped with bows on top – during the holidays?  Do you ever spend more than you can really afford on gifts, and then find yourself stressed about money in January?  Do you get so excited about the holiday season that you build it up in your mind to be far bigger than it is, and then find yourself a bit let down after it’s all over?

It doesn’t have to be this way.”  (click here to read the whole article - http://frugalbabe.com/2010/10/08/a-better-gift-giving-guide/ )