Buy From the U.S. Government: Unusual Gifts at Fair Prices

Since these holidays are strictly budgeted for in our household, I won't allow myself to be tempted to buy something that I think is really pretty for myself.

But if I were to ease up, there is a particularly beautiful scarf I'd love to own that is sold in a Smithsonian shop. It's like a piece of art.

Consider shopping at the U.S. government: Get National Park passes, stamp collectibles, holiday ornaments, World War II mementos, presidential library gifts,...even folk recordings.

You can do all your shopping online. Some places even have free postage for a limited time only.

Gift Cards...Are Sure To Please

Ahhh, one of my favorite gifts is a gift card. I know it doesn't usually come wrapped up prettily and you don't get to dive into a tissue-filled box but the anticipation of using it makes up for any unwrapping frenzy.

This last August an act was passed to extend expiration dates for 5 years. This gives us some time to find those misplaced cards during the non-holiday times of the year.

I can't tell you how often I've cleaned drawers (not my favorite chore) only to find (to my delight) a new or partially used gift card. It almost makes the chore bearable.

The Consumer Action Website provides tips for using your gift cards:

1. Read the terms, conditions and expiration

2. Record the card's ID number and keep the information in a safe place

3. Don't lose your card...but if you do, use the above information to replace it

Have fun, stay well, and happy holidays!

Your Government Is Working For You: Holiday (And Other) Gift Ideas

Now this is a new one to me. Our government is making gift suggestions! And they are among the best I've seen.

Some come from museums and presidential libraries, some from Amtrak...even some from the post office. Honestly, folks, you can't go wrong at this site.

There are coin sets, folk recordings, jewelry, badges, collectibles, national park passes, photography and prints, tree ornaments, toys, games, apparel, books, food, bath items, event tickets, World War II memorabilia. You can even adopt an animal species.

I personally am going no farther for my future gifts.

How To Win Your Credibility Back

I know Mom sometimes thinks I was AWOL when they passed out brain cells.

Maybe it's because she knew about my locking myself out on a hotel balcony wearing only a towel or the time lawgirl caught me testing the speed of our treadmill (she said I looked like a hamster traveling at top speed on its wheel) without knowing how to stop it.

But now I have a surefire way to win back Mom's albeit shaky confidence in my intelligence. It has to do with a story about a single wire.

I got Mom Netflix for the holidays and arrived at her retirement community when she received her first disc. Being anxious to show how simple it was to play a movie, I placed the DVD into her player, adjusted the TV input, and pressed "Play."

Nothing.

I started over and rechecked all my steps and then pressed "Play."

Nothing.

So I turned the player around and studied the hook-ups. Yes, the player was plugged into the wall. But the cord connecting the player to the TV was non-existent.

I referred to the manual which said that this cord was not supplied with the unit.

After stewing a few minutes that that was a crappy thing for a company to do to people who would be very anxious to test out their new device, I announced to Mom (and anyone else that was around--why not get more mileage out of my heroic measures?) that I knew what to do (I have to admit that I momentarily imagined myself donning a SuperGirl cape and flying off). I'd just have to go to Radio Shack and pick up a few things.

When I arrived back armed with the right cord, I attached the ends to the TV and the DVD player and voila, everything worked!

Mom used words like "brilliant" and " my smart kid." I prompted her to continue these profuse expressions of adoration and pride until we both had enough.

Disclaimer: This strategy works only on people who know little more than how to plug a cord into a wall or change a light bulb.

Holiday Gift Countdown: Find What To Buy And Reduce Your Stress

Most people worry about holiday gifts. Some fixate on how they are going to pay for them. Others don't know what to buy. Here are some suggestions:

1. Susan Boyle, the Brit singing sensation, has a new album that has gotten sensational reviews.

2. Video card games are sure to please.

3. Wii makes exercise fun for kids and adults.

4. I just got a crockpot for stews and soups on chilly days.

5. How about a chair massager for the home or office?

6. Car-man just bought me this camera to satisfy my photography obsession.

7. Wind chimes drive Car-man crazy but I love them.

And for those who are financially-strapped, try creative baskets:

For the garden

For arts & crafts

For the bath

For the kitchen

For more gift ideas, visit 50somethinginfo.com.