4 Gift Ideas That’ll Make Them Smile

This holiday season is a perfect time to mix things up and give a gift that will truly make people smile. Dental procedures are expensive and preventative maintenance isn’t at the top of the list of things to worry about during the hustle and bustle of daily life – at least not until there’s a throbbing pain or a sensitive nerve. To add to it, candy and sweets make matters worse. And you can only fit so many pots, pans, toasters, hair dryers, hammers and wrenches in a cabinet before they start spilling over. 

Basic Oral Care Kit

Gift option #1: Quite often, people are too busy to remember to change out their toothbrush or replace an empty roll of floss. Put together a basic care kit with an electronic toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, bottle of mouthwash, a roll of floss and a few pamphlets or booklets on overall oral care. The gift may seem basic, but since it’s something everyone uses on a daily basis, the gift will be much appreciated.

Home Whitening Kit

Gift option #2: Home whitening kits are something most people don’t think about purchasing or don’t know about. Giving a whitening kit alone or as part of an overall healthcare kit. For the health conscious, add a sampling of facial cleansers, vitamin-enriched moisturizers and other personal care items. It’s sure to brighten someone’s day.

A Trip to the Dentist

Gift option #3: Routine, preventative dental procedures aren’t at the top of the list of things most people want to pay for, so they put it off until it becomes a much more costly problem. Pay for a trip to the dentist for a routine exam or a cleaning. You can save even more by purchasing a one-month Dental Save Membership, which will cut the cost of the procedure by up to 50% and give a discount on any additional work during the membership period.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Gift option #4: People quite often put off costly procedures until the last minute or ignore them completely until they become a huge problem. Rather than giving just one trip to the dentist, purchase a comprehensive dental plan from Dental Save, which includes a one-year membership. Your loved one will enjoy all the benefits and savings available on the Dental Save Network, as well as pharmacy, vision and hearing discounts of 25% to 50% with no limits on services. Now that’s a gift to smile about.

Here’s a look at some more gifts that you can save on during the holidays and throughout the year.

How to Not Go Broke Holiday Shopping

We’ve all been here. Here’ are some ways to do holiday shopping without breaking the bank. 

1. Scope Out the Extras
When drawing up your list, go beyond gifts. Prep for all the other expenses that are likely to crop up — from travel to greeting cards to parties and (head-slap!) tips for the babysitter, the hairstylist, and others. Shipping alone is a major budget buster: Sending a pair of jeans to your sister in Chicago from Phoenix can cost a sobering $14 at the UPS ground rate. Be a super smart spender and plug any extras into your handy GH holiday planner.

2. Ready, Set…Go Shopping!
It may sound counterintuitive, but since the start of the recession, the earlier you begin your shopping, the less you’re likely to spend, reported a 2012 survey by the American Research Group. Procrastinators estimated that they spent a wallet-draining $250 more than early birds, so schedule that mall run sooner rather than later.

3. Tie Your Hands
A dazzling dress, a gorgeous picture frame, the cutest throw pillow…you can’t avoid the allure of all the items on display this time of year. But if you want to avoid unwanted splurges, resolve not to touch them. Handling an object sparks possessive feelings, says research in the field of haptics — the science of touch.

One study by researchers at UCLA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that holding even an ordinary item like a coffee mug increased people’s desire to buy it — and made them willing to pay as much as 10% more for it. So make “Look, but don’t touch” your mantra.

4. Stop the Momentum
You know how you sometimes buy, say, a sweater for your sister-in-law only to then snap up a scarf and (what the heck!) new earrings, too? A study by Yale and Stanford researchers dubs this the “shopping momentum effect” — buying one thing seems to unleash your inner spendthrift. How might you avoid getting caught in a whirlwind of impulse buys? Take a breather after every purchase, even if you’re shopping online — anything to interrupt that rush of spending!

5. Unsubscribe from E-mail Alerts
It’s fun to get e-mails from favorite retailers about upcoming sales and promotions — but consumers who receive e-mail marketing are reported to spend a whopping 83% more when shopping, industry data show. Your best defense: Unsubscribe from those tempting e-mails…at least until the holidays are safely behind you.

6. Forget Yourself
With big sales around every corner, it’s natural to want to pick up a little something — or two — just for you. In fact, 59% of your fellow Americans reported buying “me” gifts during their holiday shopping last year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) — the highest number it has ever reported.

Worse, self-gifters said they’d spent a shocking $140 on average. Given that NRF stats say the typical person budgets a total of $750 for the holidays, that’s almost 20% spent on someone who isn’t even on the list!

Bottom line: Remind yourself that you’ll be receiving gifts from others this season; your budget will thank you.

7. Let the Deals Come to You
You know you could get that Xbox or makeup kit for less, but how do you find a deal when you need one? Just plug the items you want into the website or app of Hukkster — one of the top price-trackers, thanks to its speed and accuracy. While you could wait until the last minute, when huge discounts often emerge, you don’t want to gamble regarding gifts for loved ones. This free service sends you an e-mail or a text alert the minute the price on your chosen item drops so you can snag gifts at 20%, 30%, or even 50% off.

8. Give Well for Le$$
It’s a holiday hazard: thinking only a present that costs a bundle can express your sentiments. But challenge yourself to put your creativity to work. Surprise a co-worker by framing her favorite Instagram photo. Borrow a neighbor’s car for an “errand,” then return it car-wash clean. Or give your friend a personal coupon or two for a night of babysitting or your famous veggie lasagna.

9. Save on Gift Cards
Given how convenient (and cheap to ship) they are, it’s no wonder these cards are the fastest-growing category of holiday gifts. But they can get expensive. The most common denomination given is $25 — which multiplies quickly. To save, look for holiday deals (many retailers offer bonus gift cards when you purchase a certain dollar amount on them). Online, check Gift Card Granny, a reputable marketplace where you can buy other people’s unwanted like-new gift cards for Kohl’s, CVS, iTunes, and thousands of other merchants at an average of 15% off. Happy holidays, indeed!

This article originally appeared on GoodHousekeeping. 

Winter Workouts: Staying Active (and Comfortable) in the Cold

When it’s cold outdoors, there’s no need to give up and hit the couch.

It’s never too difficult to think of reasons to abandon your workout routine. This is especially true during the winter months, when the temperatures drop, the sky turns dark, and the wind seems to start pushing you back indoors to the warmth of your couch. As health experts, we urge that these winter workouts should be incorporated into your everyday routine, no matter what the weather is like.

The advantages of regular exercise are too great to be put on hold when workouts become inconvenient, especially during colder months. Those who exercise regularly reduce their risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, diabetes and osteoporosis.

In addition to these benefits, exercising can help with the winter blues as well. Regular workouts will improve your mood, increase your energy level and help you sleep better at night.

There are many ways to continue your fitness regime during the winter. All it takes is a little creativity and knowing how to dress for the outdoor climate.

Winter Workouts and Ideas

To battle the cold weather excuses, explore new methods of exercise, such as the following ideas:

• Take the dog for a walk: Make this a part of your daily routine, for you and for your pets.
• Walk the mall: Leave your wallet at home and use the mall as an indoor track.
• Join a health club. Choose one close to home or work and ask the staff to show you how to use the equipment. You can even set up times to see a personal trainer to push you even further.
• Join a class or indoor sports league: There are plenty of fitness classes available through community organizations or local health clubs. From dancing to boot camp aerobics, there’s bound to be a class suited to your fitness level and taste. Indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer are available in this area. Research shows you are more likely to stay active when you are with a partner or a group.
• Find an indoor pool: Indoor swimming is a great way to build stamina and stay lean through winter. Whether you’re taking a dip for a water-aerobics class or swimming some laps, there are plenty of ways to enjoy water inside.
• Create a home gym or use workout DVD’s: Invest in some practical, enjoyable and easy-to-use exercise equipment. Therabands and dumbbells go a long way and can be used for many different types of exercises. Workout DVD’s offer a lot of variety without the hefty gym membership cost. When you exercise from the comfort of your own home try to limit distractions as best as possible.
• Everything counts: Vacuuming the house, raking leaves, and shoveling snow all count towards staying fit! Even if you don’t have a workout planned for the day, try to think of some way to be active.
• Get outside whenever possible: Of course, you can also continue your workouts outside in the winter and get a great workout, too. Whether it’s running, walking, snow-shoeing, skiing, or skating, you should always be wearing the appropriate amount of clothing for the various outdoor winter activities.

The key to staying comfortable and safe during outdoor winter workouts is to dress in layers. That way, as your body temperature rises during the workout, you can peel away the layers you no longer need.

Optimizing Your Outfit

Here are some guidelines for suiting up safely:

• Layer your clothes correctly: Start with a thin synthetic material, to draw sweat away from your body. Your second layer should be an insulating layer, preferably a fleece, which will keep you warm, but also allow water vapor to pass through. Finally, top with a waterproof, breathable outer layer to protect you from the winter elements.
• Cover your extremities: Pay special attention to your fingers, toes and ears, where you are most susceptible to frostbite. Remember, you lose 90% of your body heat through your head, so be sure to always wear a hat.
• Take safety precautions: If it’s dark outside, wear a reflective outer layer. If the surface of the ground is uneven due to weather conditions, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls. Purchasing a pair of ice cleats to go over your boots or sneakers ensures that you will have enough traction in the iciest conditions.
• Remember sunscreen: Snow reflects the sun’s rays, so sunburn is possible, even if you’re cold.

A Thrifty Person’s Holiday Handbook

The Holiday Season is an exciting time filled with gift giving, food, family, travel, and tons of fun, but it can get expensive. The thing is, you don’t need to spend all of that money to have a good time, give awesome gifts, and throw a memorable party. Here are a few simple savings strategies to help you and your family have an incredible Holiday without putting yourself into debt along the way.

Set a budget

This can be a total budget or a per person budget. Either way, don’t forget to include the cost of the extra items beyond the gift itself. For example, wrapping paper, tape, postage, cards, envelopes, etc. Those small items can really add up if you’re not planning for it ahead of time.

Formulate a plan

Before you set out to shop, come up with a plan of attack. Know exactly which stores you’re going to and what you plan to buy there. Make a list to avoid impulse buys; if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t go in the cart!

Pack snacks

You can really work up an appetite when scouring stores and fighting through packed parking lots, but that convenient mall food is expensive. Whether you’re shopping alone, with friends, or with your family, pack a lunch or snacks to help you avoid hunger-driven splurges and increase your savings.

Give yourself the gift of time

We’ve all found ourselves paying top dollar just to cross something of the to-do list as the Holiday draws closer. Do yourself a favor and start shopping as early as possible to give yourself time to shop around and find opportunities for savings.

Have wish-list limit

Ask your kids to give you 1-2 items they REALLY want and you can always get them a few more small gifts. This way you can focus on finding savings on what they really want and avoid giving them things that will just sit gathering dust until you get rid of them.

Skip wrapping paper

Instead of spending money on wrapping paper just to have it torn to pieces and thrown away, use newspaper! Newspaper comics are always a fun alternative.

Send e-cards

In our digital world most people would not be at all offended by receiving your annual Holiday card or family newsletter via email. Of course you’ll have people like Great Aunt Sally who will need a hard copy mailed to her but most of the people on your list will have an email address and the savings you’ll see in the cost of cards, postage, and time will be huge!

Savings with do-it-yourself

The internet is full of easy and impressive DIY projects for everyone. Pick your project wisely though as expensive materials can wind up costing you more than if you had bought something at the store.

Lock up the credit cards

You can see significant savings by leaving the plastic at home. Many people have a harder time parting with cash than they do swiping a credit card through a machine, so if you’re shopping with cash you may think twice about adding that extra $5 item to your basket. Further, if you walk into a store with only $50 in your hand, you can’t spend any more than that!

Clip Coupons

Don’t just throw out all of those Holiday mailers you’re getting; take the time to look at the ads, clip coupons, and see what savings you can take advantage of. Just avoid situations where you have to buy more to save since that can often push you over your budget.

Decorate strategically

Rather than ‘Decking the Halls’ with gobs of expensive decorations, pick a few spots in your house and make them beautiful. For example, your dining room table, front door, stairs, fireplace, or other standout areas of the house.

Start a gift exchange

You’re surely not the only one looking for Holiday savings this year, and this is a great savings opportunity for large families and groups of friends. This works because everyone only needs to buy one gift each. Draw names from a hat and set a spending limit.

Try a potluck

Hosting the Holiday party this year? Don’t put the financial burden on yourself to provide food for everyone. Make it a potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish to pass and consider making it a BYOB night since alcohol can erode any savings plan.

Hunt out free holiday activities.

Take a look at your local community calendar and you’ll be surprise at how much is going on right down the road that won’t cost you a thing.

Remember that Holidays are about family and friends, not expensive gifts or extravagant parties. Armed with the tips above you can see significant savings and still have a blast this Holiday season.