Giving on a Budget

This season , helping the less fortunate and donate to charity you want to support . No matter how tight your budget is - and let's face it , almost every family has its expenditures decreased in the last two years - there are many ways that a difference this holiday without digging deep into your pockets .

 A. Giving gifts that benefit others .donation box
Instead of handing out gift cards for the holidays , treat everyone on your list with a " good map . " Visits beneficiaries networkforgood.org where the balance can give to one of 1.2 million registered charitable organizations group .
Rather give you a toy or a link? This is great - but choose a souvenir shop nonprofit . Many large charities such as The Nature Conservancy ( nature.org ) , the Make -A - Wish Foundation ( wish.org ) and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF ( unicefusa.org ) are online stores that will save you in - person journey . "If you buy directly from a charity , something nice for a loved one you get and support its programs at the same time , " says Sandra Miniutti , vice president of Charity Navigator , which detailed evaluations of more offers 5,000 nonprofit organizations, charity navigator . org .

 2. Clean for a cause.
Just sort by capturing dust stuff in your basement can make a difference . Chances are you'll find things of value to a family in need or a nonprofit . Martha Brant donated a table to the children for a silent auction . "We can not afford to make big checks ," says Washington , DC , mother of two children , " but it was something we could do . " Aside from your church or nursery , there are many places that need your donations .
Clothing , toys , and the speed of the kids : Try your local Goodwill ( goodwill.org ) Army Hi ( salvationarmyusa.org ) or the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation ( mophsf.org ) . You can deposit a local chapter or in many places , scheduling a free pickup .
Furniture: Your best bet is nationalfurniturebank.org ( enter your zip code to find a local partner ) . These groups generally accept beds , wardrobes, tables , chairs , sofas , lamps and other furniture struggling families need a fresh start .
Auto: To ensure that your donation is tax deductible , you would turn directly to a qualifying charity . Habitat for Humanity ( habitat.org ) take any vehicle , working or not , and even take the cost of towing.
Mobile phones, PDAs , iPods , digital cameras Recycling Charities ( recyclingforcharities.com ) has safely and donated these items to your designated charity . But you pay for the shipping .
Computers , printers , scanners , zip drives and Faxes : The National Cristina Foundation ( cristina.org ) corresponds donors of these items with local organizations .

10 Steps to a Less Stressful Holiday

Bells ring, glow plugs, each holiday cheer flooded. But you do not want a little Santa's elves . In fact, you start to feel like the Grinch . Your life has become an endless cycle of obligations: to send cards , gifts to buy , entertaining, decorating. . . . But do not despair . Here are some tips to help you simplify here , so you can return to the spiritual heart of the holidays.Ask first . Upon receipt of your family
Everyone in the family has hopes and dreams for the holidays, but you can not read minds . Carole Bodger , author of Smart Guide to Relieve Stress ( John Wiley & Sons , 1999) , shows that you call a family meeting. " When the whole family gets together , ask each person to take a moment to list his three favorite holiday activities - reading stories by the fireside on a candlelight worship , decorate cookies, help a non - shelter - what they think would be perfect for a special time to do. then ask three things they could do without. This will help you a holiday that is guaranteed to at least one of all the favorites to create with ideas for streamlining the celebration.
"Planning the session before the pressure begins to build ," advises Bodger . " In this way, you will not know that your daughter really wants to sing in church Nativity play, after it is too late , they connect. "Second Place holiday home this year.
They have a newborn. Or a period of work . At present , the last thing to deal with pressure Reiseplänefür is the busiest time of the year. " Explain to your parents: " Mom, Dad , I 'd like to visit , but it would be just too much for me - the kids are too little to travel, and I only have a few days off , "said Dorothy Cantor, Psy D . . , former head of the American Psychological Association. " Be honest . Their relationship must be able to withstand disappointment. " Then the children call together a family video and audio cassettes, and get to the station early to send. Call your parents on the first night of Hanukkah or Christmas morning and make plans to visit new year.3rd Limit optional activities .
There are things you need to do necessarily , like a vacation or visit Whereas preschool class party of your daughter. In which adult-oriented parts - office appointments, carol, sing along New Year open house - and you have just a minute to breathe. To sculpt the bottom of the list, the specified limits. Decide in advance how to get a large number of parties or other events that you can handle , and give the green light for the first four invitations. Then, politely but firmly refuse the rest . " If you decide objection , do it with elegance ," says Peggy experts label Message parents. " Even if you do not want to go , try to seem grateful that you have invited . "4 Resist the urge to be Martha Stewart.
The transformation seems to happen overnight . When every house on the block has huge burst of crowns above the door, tapered candles in the windows and display choirboys light-up on the lawn . Make your preholiday neighbors tapped into a network of poor elves looking for a job? " These days , it seems that we not only Martha Stewart, " says Bodger . "We have Bob Vila. , We need to bake cookies and nail throughout the house a little doll holiday . "
If you believe that holiday decor is a must, an effect easily . Buy a fake tree ( the current culture is surprisingly realistic ) reuse with lights prestrung for a year . Select crowns made ​​from pine cones for a period of longer life. And if you decided to bring home a tree six feet , put with a simple red ribbon and add small white lights and red Christmas balls . Voila - a design statement worthy of Martha herself, with half the noise.
Above all, do not torment yourself . My house would never pass the bridge - tests - inside. Our 5 - years is responsible for the tree, and when he did hang ornaments, they are crammed every two meters above the ground and heat . But who cares? His pride to do something for the family is palpable.Get 5 cards Christmas difficult .
"Nobody has to be sent on the cards if they do not want ," advises Post. "This is a personal decision. " Check your greeting card pulse. If you like cards, there are ways to make it easier to manage.
Start by making sure that Christmas cards mean to you. Are your way to stay in touch, if you were not in contact? Then you can not send people to cut you see all the time. Or you can reverse the process and send cards that family and close friends. Do not get caught in the opposite case . "In my family , we do not have a card from anyone we send a " Bodger points out, "and he certainly does not hate us for life. "
The key to your life is easier to cross the guilt of your list. If you need to send hundreds of cards, those who pre- printed . Automate next . Rent your own children or a neighborhood teenager to help . Do they have to solve envelopes and sticking on stamps. Elapsed time : overnight.6 Focus on the spiritual.

What parents need to focus on, given that they can't do it all, is activities that create meaning and memories. So read a book that discusses the religious aspects of the holidays. Attend a religious service designed for children. Buy an extra present for a children's charity and bring the kids with you when you drop it off. Trim the tree or light the menorah and then toast the season with hot cider. And don't forget to share your own precious holiday memories with your kids. Relive that first ride downhill on your brand-new Flexible Flyer. You remember, don't you? The flash of terror, then sheer exhilaration. That hill always looked so much less imposing once you'd made it down. On January 2, you'll look back and feel the same way about the holidays.

7. Winnow the Wish list.

It's not the great American novel. It's little Joshua's letter to Santa, and he's been scribbling since June. Is he getting everything he wants? No way. Generosity may be one of the hallmarks of the season, but that doesn't mean giving free rein to materialism. Sit down with your better half and decide in advance how many presents are appropriate. If Josh is over 5, ask him to prioritize. If he still believes in Santa, explain that room on the sleigh is limited. "Kids are going to ask for everything they see on television or at their friends' houses," Cantor says. "So there has to be a reasonable limit." Meaning that if Joshua's first choice is that $2,000 motorized miniature Jaguar convertible that Cody's dad bought for him, move on to door number two. You may also want to take a stand on violent or sexist toys. Don't let the holiday spirit weaken your resolve. Be true to your principles -- and your budget.

8. Don't shop till you drop.

Start early. And invite a friend along. You'll have more fun, and you can stop for a snack and a chat. "Give yourself frequent breaks while shopping," suggests Jeff Davidson, author of The Joy of Simple Living (Rodale, 1999). "It's not a marathon. Stop and enjoy the seasonal decor. There is absolutely no reason to make shopping for loved ones anything but a joyful experience." Make things easy for yourself. If the gift wrapping is free and the lines aren't too long, take advantage of the service. (In my house, Santa can be pretty bleary-eyed and grumpy on Christmas morning after staying up all night wrapping presents.) If you love that silk scarf, buy it in multiples. My aunt Sarah and my mom both adore the ones I gave them last Christmas. Luckily, they live at opposite ends of the country.

9. Hire some of Santa's helpers.

"Ask your local supermarket about holiday platters, catering for dinner parties, and home deliveries," Davidson says. And don't be shy. "When guests ask what they can bring," he advises, "tell them." Pay a helpful teen to assist you in the kitchen, and consider hiring a cleaning service so you're not left scrubbing the bathroom tiles the night before. That way, you can truly relax. It happens only once a year, and the extra expense will be well worth it. The bottom line here? Do whatever you can to make your life easier.

10. Give yourself a time-out.

Right now, before you have a nervous breakdown. Stop roasting those chestnuts. Stop burning that midnight menorah oil. And don't even think about answering the phone. "Give a gift to yourself -- and not just the kind that you wrap with a bow," Bodger says. "Take an invigorating walk or spring for a sitter and take an afternoon off. You'll appreciate it, and so will your kids. There's a good reason why flight attendants advise us to place the oxygen mask on ourselves first, before we help others. If we're not okay, there's no way we can take care of anyone else."

The Smart Parent's Holiday Survival Guide

Do not feel obliged to attend all events. Even if you have the time and energy, there is always the question of wrangling a babysitter who can be difficult at this time of year. Most moms agree that it is best to limit your answers with a handle if possible. "There are some parts, such as family reunions, we all Christmas Eve, I'm counting on anything ," said Alisa Fitzgerald , a mother of two children Boxford , Massachusetts. " Others take a back seat as I hate to admit it , but I have near RSVPing to the deadline , so I can to make an informed decision about the events that are most important decision-making tool - . Or those that we would just enjoy. "Do you have an exit strategy. " Setting expectations up front, like how long you want to stay at the party is a good thing ," says Ann Glackin , a mother of two from Clifton Park, New York. " My husband and I are trying to map things. If there is something like an office or a family event, which understands that we speak before departure. In this way , we are both on the same page and we end up not tired , bored or annoyed because the other is not ready to go. , and if we expect a quick visit , we can know the host. " We can not stay long but we do not want to miss your party ! say, on arrival, and then do not feel they do not be offended if we slip on . "Divide and conquer . "Often I'll go to a party and our children , and my husband at home or remain vice versa," says Bridget Pelosi , a mother of two children in Berkeley Heights , New Jersey. " The n is not ideal - but it works. "

12 Holiday tips for home safety

While beautifying your home this season , keep an eye on the common holiday trip - ups , fire and other security snafus .
A . Merry and Bright : Examine carefully the play of light holiday each year and discard any with frayed cords , cracked lamp holders or loose connections . When replacing bulbs , unplug the light string and make sure that the voltage and adjust the original lamp . ability to
2 . Lights Out . Always Christmas lights when you leave the house unattended or when going to bed Set
3 . Fresh is best: Try to buy a freshly cut tree, as they are more resistant to infection . Keep your tree watered and away from open candles.
4 . Timing is everything : Use a timer Outdoor Antenna certified by CSA International and off . The lighting must be turned on after 7:00 bypass the current peak .clip_image001_110405
5 . Before Mark : When purchasing light strings , extension cords, spotlights, electrical decorations , gas, or carbon monoxide detectors , check the mark of a certification body accredited as CSA International , UL, or ELT to ensure that products meet applicable standards for safety and performance.
6 . One and Done : Never connect more than one extension cord together, instead of using a single cable long enough to reach the exit without but not so long that it can easily get tangled stretch , .
7 . The Great Outdoors : When hanging lights outdoors , keep electrical connections on the ground and away from metal gutters. Use insulating tape or plastic instead of metal nails or tacks to keep the place .
8 . Climbing Up: Use a ladder if you put up lights? Choose the right ladder for the job and double check to label your portable ladder meets the standards.
9 . Keep the gas behind glass : Do not let your gas fireplace when the glass panel is removed, cracked or broken , and only allow a qualified person to replace parts of the home person .
10 . Alarm: Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work , and make sure to install smoke and carbon monoxide ( CO) alarms on every level of your home - especially near sleeping areas .
11 . Filter - Friendly Four : To avoid the risk of CO in your home, a qualified technician conducts an annual maintenance check of your furnace and venting system, and clean or replace your furnace filter frequently during the heating season.
12 . Clean the mess : no flammable materials such as gasoline , propane , paper , chemicals , paint , rags and cleaning products near your gas furnace . Gasoline or propane cylinders should be stored outside of the house.

Holiday Tips for parents - 6 ways to make the most important holidays

Discover various culturesAround the World Puzzle FloorHelp your children an idea of ​​life in other countries , to introduce them to a variety of ritual festival celebrated all over the world at this time of the year. To consider some examples for you:Ethiopia: Here, many families celebrate Christmas on 7 January , although the majority of people actually refer to the part of both Genna Ganna or after a hockey game - as is traditionally played this afternoon.Netherlands : Family statement pair of shoes on the eve of Saint -Nicolas , 6 December . In the middle of the night , St. Nick makes visit to fill the shoes with treats such as chocolate, candy and toys.Italy: children write letters to their parents , promising good behavior ( and apologies for the recent misdeeds ) and tell them how much they love them . The letters are then placed under the father of the plate on Christmas Eve , he reads aloud , once the food is ready .Mexico: 28 December, the day of the Holy Innocents , the same as 1 April celebrated. Children and adults - play innocent pranks. On success, the scammer his victim , a celebration of sweets.Sweden : St. Lucia Day , 13 December is the beginning of the holiday season , a girl in every home as Lucia , the patron saint of light , in a white dress and a crown of leaves, and then wakes up every dressed with a tray of sweets for breakfast.Korea : Family celebrating first January to Duk - Gook also wrote Ddeokguk - soup or rice - cake. According to tradition, enjoy a bowl on New Year's Day allows everyone to move forward one years .