Disney Oscar Nominations Go To…

JMarsden92 January 25, 2011
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THE Walt disney studios Celebrates
12 Oscar® Nominations for TOY STORY 3,
ALICE IN WONDERLAND AND MORE     
Disney•Pixar animated film earns Best Picture nomination for second straight year

BURBANK, Calif. – January 25, 2011 – The Walt Disney Studios is proud to announce its 2010 films have earned 12 Oscar® nominations. Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced five nominations for Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3, including for the coveted title of Best Picture; three for Alice in Wonderland, and one each for Day & Night, Tangled, The Tempest and TRON: Legacy.

“2010 was a banner year for The Walt Disney Studios, and we are thrilled that the Academy has chosen to recognize both our animated blockbusters Toy Story 3 and Tangled and our live-action hits Alice in Wonderland and TRON: Legacy for their artistry, technical achievements and storytelling,” said Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Toy Story 3 marks only the third time in history that Academy members have honored an animated film in the Best Picture category. It also earned a nomination for Adapted Screenplay – making it the fourth consecutive screenplay nomination for a Disney•Pixar film. The Toy Story trilogy’s tally of Oscar nominations now stands at nine.

Commenting on the announcement, John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, said, “To have Toy Story 3 represented in the Best Picture category is a great honor, and a fitting tribute to director Lee Unkrich, producer Darla Anderson, screenwriter Michael Arndt, and all of the talented people at Pixar, who worked so hard to live up to and exceed the standards and expectations of Toy Story fans and moviegoers all over the world.” 

A summary of nominations for The Walt Disney Studios is as follows:

Toy Story 3

Best Motion Picture of the Year – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) A Pixar Production
Darla K. Anderson, Producer

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Lee Unkrich

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Achievement in Sound Editing – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Tom Myers and Michael Silvers

Adapted Screenplay – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Michael Arndt. Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

Alice in Wonderland
Art Direction – Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney), Robert Stromberg (Production Design), Karen O’Hara (Set Decoration)

Achievement in Costume Design – Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) Colleen Atwood

Achievement in Visual Effects – Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips

Day & Night
Best Animated Short Film – Day & Night (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production Teddy Newton

Tangled
Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – “I See the Light” from Tangled (Walt Disney) Music by Alan Menken; Lyric by Glenn Slater

The Tempest
Achievement in Costume Design – The Tempest (Touchstone) Sandy Powell

TRON: Legacy
Achievement in Sound Editing – TRON: Legacy (Walt Disney) Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague

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Secretariat Bluray/DVD Review

JMarsden92 January 24, 2011
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My daughter loves anything to do with horses.  To back that statement up she had to go on the pony ride in Fort Wilderness each year until she was too “old” to go anymore.  My wife also loves things that deal with horses.  This movie was a great find.  Finding movies that focus on horses is almost an impossible thing to do.  Well, Disney allowed us to review the upcoming movie Secretariat.  At the end of the movie Penny is actually shown, and on the Bluray you can find an additional discussion with the real Penny.  I feel that this movie helped my daughter understand that “You can accomplish anything that you put your mind to.”  This movie also shows how close a bond a person can have with an animal.  This is important to any true pet lover.

Watching the movie in HD picture, and sound had the feeling of actually being there.  This shows the technology that was brought to play.  We only wish a lot more movies were this way, and maybe Disney is going to do this more.  Watching it from this viewpoint made us realize what the jockey actually goes through.

To summarize the movie it is about a woman taking the helm of a race horse, anddoing what others thought couldn’t be done.  Make sure you get your hands on this movie.  Rent it, or Buy it… Just don’t miss this one.

We gave the movie 10 out of 10.  A great story that has a lesson to be learned by all.

Here is the release information…

Disney Presents


SECRETARIAT

The Impossible True Story About A Legendary Sports Champion & Its Owner Releases As A Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & Movie Download on January 25, 2011

Burbank, Calif., The inspirational story about one of the most remarkable feats in sports history, SECRETARIAT, comes to Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-rayTM + DVD), DVD and Movie Download on January 25, 2011 by Walt Disney Studios. This powerful and thrilling journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner and its owner Penny Chenery, played by Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominee Diane Lane, brings hope, heart and courage to audiences of all ages making SECRETARIAT a perfect film to add to the home library.

“This is one of the year’s best films,” states Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Has received great critical acclaim and receiving Oscar buzz! ‘4 stars’.”

The home entertainment debut of the critically acclaimed SECRETARIAT will keep audiences engaged for hours on end with never-before-shared in-depth interviews with Penny Chenery, exclusive behind-the- scenes footage, deleted scenes and more on the story of one of the greatest accomplishments in sports history.

“Secretariat’ belongs in The Winner’s Circle. It’s one of the Best Family Films of the Year!” said CBS News, and Pete Hammond of Boxoffice Magazine called the film, “A truly exciting, beautifully made movie that makes a run for the heart and will have you standing up and cheering. ‘Secretariat’ is thrilling and inspiring entertainment for everyone. Diane Lane is wonderful. John Malkovich is terrific. It’s this year’s ‘Blind Side.”

SECRETARIAT will be available in stores nationwide as a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD in a single package) for the suggested price of $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada and a 1- Disc DVD for the suggested price of $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada.

“A remarkable story that lifts our spirits, ‘Secretariat’ is a winner! …and the luminous Diane Lane’s tour de force performance is unforgettable!” writes Jeff Craig of Sixty Second Preview.From the Producers of Miracle, Invincible and The Rookie, SECRETARIAT features critically acclaimed performances by an all-star cast that includes Diane Lane (Unfaithful, Under The Tuscan Sun, Nights in Rodanthe), John Malkovich (Con Air, Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich), Dylan Walsh (Congo, The Lake House, The Stepfather), James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential, The Green Mile, The Queen), Kevin Connolly (“Entourage,” He Is Just Not Into You, John Q), Nelsan Ellis (True Blood, The Soloist, The Express, Warm Springs), Margo Martindale (Million Dollar Baby, Orphan, Dead Man Walking), Fred Thompson (Die Hard 2, In the Line of Fire, Cape Fear) and AJ Michalka (The Lovely Bones, Cow Belles, Haversham Hall).

FILM SYNOPSIS

Disney presents an astonishing true story bursting with hope, heart and courage. Diane Lane and John Malkovich lead a celebrated cast in this inspirational motion picture from the producers of Miracle, Invincible and The Rookie.

Behind every legend, lies an impossible dream. Witness the spectacular journey of an incredible horse named Secretariat and the moving story of his unlikely owner, a housewife who risked everything to make him a champion. Out of the gate with never-before-seen bonus features, Secretariat is hours of pulse- pounding entertainment for the whole family!

DISC BONUS FEATURES:

BLU-RAY:

The same as the DVD, plus…

•               Choreographing The Races – This piece looks at how director Randall Wallace and the filmmakers used innovative tools and technology to accurately and excitingly recreate the Triple Crown races that make the viewer feel like they are standing on the backstretch themselves.

•               A Director’s Inspiration: A Conversation With The Real Penny Chenery – Director Randall Wallace sits down with Secretariat owner Penny Chenery to review the movie and some of the key scenes. Penny reflects on what it was like to have been a woman in a male dominated sport and to have been part of horse racing’s most exciting moments in history.

•               Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace – View the film with optional audio commentary from Director Randall Wallace.

•               Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace – The same deleted scenes as the DVD, plus four more…

o              Alternate Opening

o              Introduction

o              “Are You A Golfer?”

o              No Time To Rest

•               Secretariat Multi-Angle Simulation – Relive Secretariats triumphant 1973 Preakness race by viewing the race from a number of perspectives as well as listening to commentaries from fans, announcers and even the jockey who rode Secretariat to their record finish.

DVD:

• Heart Of A Champion – This feature takes a look at one of the most famous thoroughbred horses ever known. Secretariat was a horse with style as well as amazing speed and an unsurpassed racing record. We interview all the key players from the day as well as today’s filmmakers to learn more about the horse affectionately called “Red.”

•               Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace

o              Director Introduction

o              Memories

o              Seth Joins The Team

o              Too         Soon T o                Celebrate

•               Music Video – AJ Michalka “It’s Who You Are”

EST :

The same as the DVD, plus…

•               Choreographing The Races

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

Street Date: January 25, 2011

Direct Prebook: November 30, 2010

Distributors Prebook: December 14, 2010

Suggested Retail Price: 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack = $39.99US/ $44.99 Canada 1-Disc DVD = $29.99 US/$35.99 Canada

Rated: US: PG – for brief mild language Canada: G

Feature Run Time: Approximately 123 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Blu-ray Sound:English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

DVD Sound: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Languages: Subtitles: English, French & Spanish English SDH, French & Spanish

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Through the Home Entertainment division, innovative distribution methods provide access to creative content across multiple platforms. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

 

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Alice In Wonderland 60th Anniversary Combo Pack Review

JMarsden92 January 22, 2011
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We were offered to review the upcoming release of Disney’s Alice In Wonderland 60th Anniversary Special Edition Bluray/DVD package.  This was great because seeing it in a new way after 60 years was something we enjoyed doing.  The original movie was released in 1951.  This was a movie that Walt personally had his hands in.  My daughter has seen our VCR tape of Alice, but seeing the movie in high definiti0n was a definite treat.  The colors, and sounds of the movie seem much more vibrant.  Seeing some of the bonus features included in the combo pack were an added bonus.  The interactive game was a creative addition.  Through the Keyhole was nice for me being that I have seen the movie, and seeing the reference points was really excellent.

Alice In Wonderland is a very comical story that almost anyone will love.  We will watch the movie time, and time again.  I find the Cheshire Cat to be the best sub-character.  Wife likes the Mad Hatter, and our little one loved the White Rabbit.  If you have ever watched the VCR version, then you will want to watch this edition.

We give the movie a 10 out of 10.  A “Classic” movie that is great no matter what.

We received a combo pack to review.  Receiving the combo pack had no influence on our review.  As always our review is our factual opinion.

Here is the release information…

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF WALT DISNEY’S ORIGINAL, WHIMSICAL ANIMATED CLASSIC WILL FINALLY ARRIVE ON BLU-RAY™ AND MOVIE DOWNLOAD

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

60th Anniversary Special Edition

Premiering on Blu-ray Hi-Def And As A Movie Download on February 1, 2011

With interest in all things ALICE IN WONDERLAND at an all-time high following the record-breaking theatrical performance of Disney’s epic live-action fantasy adventure, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) proudly unveils aone-of-a-kind 60th Anniversary Special Edition of Walt Disney’s original animated version of the whimsical classic tale ALICE IN WONDERLAND on Blu-ray — on February 1st, 2011.  Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 60th Anniversary Special Edition will be available across the country as a Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) for the suggested retail price of $39.99 in the US and $44.99 in Canada, a Standard Definition Movie Download for $29.99 in the US and $35.99 in Canada and High-Definition Movie Download for $39.99 in the US and $44.99 in Canada.

The new ALICE IN WONDERLAND 60th Anniversary Special Edition takes viewers on magical adventure like never before with a fantastically odd and fun-filled world of colorful characters in brilliant high-definition and crystal clearsound. Additionally, the disc comes specially-packed with never-before-seen footage hosted by Kathryn Beaumont, an all-new interactive game and more.

In the film, viewers can look forward to following Alice’s adventures as she chases the White Rabbit on a magical journey into the fantastical world of Wonderland. It’s a topsy-turvy place that gets “curiouser and curiouser” as Alice’s madcap adventures introduce her to some truly unforgettable characters – the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts and more. It’s a great animated story that has pleased the eyes and ears of old and new generations alike.

The animated version of ALICE IN WONDERLAND still remains an all-time American-favorite to this day. Produced by Walt Disney himself and based primarily on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with a few additional elements from Through the Looking-Glass, the film was made complete with help from filmmakers Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske (Cinderella, Peter Pan) and the voices of Kathryn Beaumont as Alice (also the voice of Wendy Darling in Peter Pan), Ed Wynn (Mary Poppin; Cinderella) as the Mad Hatter, J. Pat O’Malley (One Hundred and One Dalmatians; The Jungle Book) as Tweedledee and Tweeledum, Verna Felton (Cinderella; Sleeping Beauty; The Jungle Book) as Queen of Hearts, Sterling Holloway (The Jungle Book; Sleeping Bueaty; The Aristocats) as the Cheshire Cat , Richard Haydn (The Sound of Music; Young Frankenstein) as Caterpillar and Bill Thompson (Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan; Sleeping Beauty) as the White Rabbit.

Walt Disney first created the idea of creating Lewis Carroll’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND book into a full-length animated movie back in 1923 when he was just a young twenty-one year filmmaker trying to make a name for himself. After more than 30-years in the making, and after four successful animated releases under his belt (i.e., Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi), Walt finally released his true vision for the animated film Alice in Wonderland.

This 60th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of ALICE IN WONDERLAND celebrates many of Walt’s accomplishments with this film showcasing its amazing artwork,spectacular songs and dazzling animation. And be sure to dive deeper into the rabbit hole and check-out all of its unique bonus features.

Film Synopsis:

ALICE IN WONDERLAND is a story about a young girl who grows bored listening to her older sister read aloud from a history book about William I of England. While dozing off, she dreams about falling down a rabbit hole (“Wonderland”) that is populated by a peculiar series of misadventures. The always sensible Alice whirls through a world of contradictions, imagination and surprises where she encounters amazing creatures – including a pocket watch-toting White Rabbit, the imperious Queen of Hearts and her army of playing cards, a Cheshire Cat with a lingering smile in an unforgettable fantasy, and the off-kilter Madhatter – and tests her sensibility and courage. In the end it’s all a dream, she is awakened by her sister’s voice, and as the two of them return home for teatime where she realizes that perhaps logic and reason exist for purpose. And in return, her sister realizes affectionatelythat Alice is still young, but will grow-up in time.

Blu-ray Disc Bonus Features:

Brand-New Blu-ray Features:

? §  Through the Keyhole: A Companion’s Guide to Wonderland – View the movie in this special mode and discover references to the original Lewis Carroll classic.  Kathryn Beaumont introduces.

? §  Disney View – Watch the movie in this expanded viewing experience with new Disney art in the wings of the screen.

? §  Painting the Roses Red Game – Help paint the roses red in the Queen’s garden.  Careful, or someone could lose their head.

? §  Walt Disney Color TV Introduction (1959) – A never-before-seen color TV intro by Walt.

? §  Reference Footage: Alice and the Doorknob – Kathryn Beaumont, the voice of Alice, provides an introduction to this newly discovered reference footage of Alice talking to the doorknob.

? §  Pencil Test: Alice Shrinks – Kathryn Beaumont introduces a newly discovered pencil test of Alice shrinking.

?

Plus, Classic Features:

? §  “I’m Odd” Newly Discovered Cheshire Cat Song + Intro

? §  Thru the Mirror Mickey Mouse Animated Short (Now in Hi-Def)

? §  Art Gallery (with new design and new images)

? §  Reflections on Alice

? §  Operation Wonderland (Now in Hi-Def)

? §  One Hour in Wonderland

? §  An Alice Comedy: Alice’s Wonderland

? §  Original Theatrical Trailers (1951 & 1974)

? §  Walt Disney TV Introduction (1954 & 1964)

? §  The Fred Waring Show (Excerpt)

? §  Deleted Materials:

? Ø  Deleted Scene: Pig and Pepper

? Ø  From Wonderland to Neverland: The Evolution of a Song – An entertaining look at how a song originally written for Alice in Wonderland, finally found its home in another Disney favorite, Peter Pan.

? Ø  Deleted Storyboard Concept: Alice Daydreams in the Park – Deleted storyboard sequence set to music.

? Ø  Original Song Demos: “Beware The Jabberwock”; “Everything Has A Useness”; “So They Say”; “Beautiful Soup”; “Dream Caravan”; “If You’ll Believe In Me”

Movie Download Bonus Features (SD & HD):

? §  Pencil Test: Alice Shrinks

? §  Thru The Mirror Mickey Mouse Animated Short

? §  Reflections on Alice

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

Street Date:                             February 1 2011

Direct Prebook:                                    December 7, 2010

Distributor Prebook:                  December 21, 2010

Suggested Retail Price:           Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) $39.99 U.S./ $44.99 Canada

Standard Definition Movie Download $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

High-Definition Movie Download $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada

Feature Run Time:                  Approximately 75 minutes

Rated:                                      G

Aspect Ratio:                           1:33:1; Adjusted to fit 16×9 Television

Sound:                                     5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, DisneyEnhanced Home Theater Mix, Original Theatrical Sound Track

Languages:                              English, French & Spanish

Subtitles:                                 French & Spanish

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Through the Home Entertainment division, innovative distribution methods provide access to creative content across multiple platforms. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!.  For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

 

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Sorcerers Apprentice Movie Review

JMarsden92 November 16, 2010
[1] comment

We got to go see Sorcerers Apprentice back some time ago, and I have to thank Disney for allowing us to go.  Our little one enjoyed the movie so much she is now asking for the Bluray for Christmas.  The movie was very well made, and the actors were well chosen.  There was one part that they showed Mickey Mouse, but that is the only reference to the original cartoon.  I would be curious if Disney has any thoughts on a sequel.  Nicholas Cage has aged well, and fit the role of the sorcerer perfect.  I recommend this movie to everyone, as this movie is one of a kind, and well made.  If you can’t figure out what to get for someone this season, then this would make an excellent holiday gift.

“Films Clean Up!”- From Mary Poppins and Cinderella to Sorcerer’s Apprentice, cleaning up has never been so much fun!

On November 30th Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer Films will release The Sorcerer’s Apprentice on DVD and Blu-ray! Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) recruits an average college student to be his protégé (Jay Baruche). Balthazar gives him a crash course in magic as they prepare for a battle against dark forces in modern-day Manhattan.  The Blu-ray includes some great features such as “Magic in the City”, “The Science of Sorcery”, deleted scenes and more! Get ready for magic as The Sorcerer’s Apprentice comes to DVD and Blu-ray on November 30th.

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
WALT DISNEY PICTURES and JERRY BRUCKHEIMER FILMS

About the Film:
A fun, modern-day adventure follows Dave (JAY BARUCHEL), just an average college student, or so it
appears, until the sorcerer Balthazar Blake (NICOLAS CAGE) recruits him as his reluctant protégé and
gives him a crash course in the art and science of magic. As he prepares for a battle against the forces
of darkness in modern-day Manhattan, Dave finds it is going to take all of the courage he can muster to
survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE.

Bonus Features: Go behind the scenes and on location to learn all about the making of The
Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Blu-Ray:

  • Magic In The City
  • The Science Of Sorcery  
  • Making Magic Real  
  • The Fashionable Drake Stone  
  • The Grimhold: An Evil Work Of Art  
  • The Encantus  
  • Wolves & Puppies  
  • The World’s Coolest Car  
  • 5 Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • And more!

DVD / iTunes:
o The Making Of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (DVD only)  

  • Deleted Scene: Balthazar Recruits Dave  

Genre:  Comedy Adventure
Rating:  PG
U.S. Release Date:  November 30, 2010
Suggested Retail Price:  
3-Disc  Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) — $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada
2-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) — $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada
1-Disc DVD — $29.99 U.S/ $35.99 Canada

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Some Holiday Tips To Help Out

JMarsden92 November 16, 2010
[1] comment

Here’s a little help in your holiday shopping.

A Christmas Carol releases on Nov. 16, 2010 on Bluray and DVD.

Don’t Be a Scrooge!

In the midst of a sluggish economy, high unemployment rates and rising airfares, there’s a reason so many people utter Charles Dickens’ memorable line, “Bah, humbug!” at some point during the holiday season. However, with a little ingenuity—and planning—you can have a memorable celebration even if money is tight. We have numerous tips to help you spend wisely on gifts, entertaining and travel. Ebenezer Scrooge, be damned!

GIFT-GIVING GUIDANCE

This holiday season may be the time to set some new ground rules for gift-giving in your family. Don’t worry. We’re not suggesting the stockings go unstuffed, just that you be a bit more creative in bestowing meaningful gifts that won’t leave you penniless. Robyn Spizman, the country’s foremost gift-expert and author of Make It Memorable, shares eight wallet-friendly ideas:

  1. Give from your heart. “Think about your attitude of gratitude and a kind deed someone did for you this past year. Express your thanks by writing a heartfelt note or poem or get creative and write an acrostic based on their name like Thank you Tony: T is for Terrific, O is for One of a Kind, N is for Nice and Y is for You…Terrific, One of a Kind, Nice – You!”     
  2. Gift a page turning gift! “Re-gift your favorite book. While you should avoid being a Scrooge and re-gifting things you don’t want—what makes you think anyone else wants them—when it comes to a treasured book you loved reading, that’s anti-Scrooge and approved. Add a bookmark or self-sticking notes throughout the book with little messages of what a novel friend or family member they are.”
  3. Give them a hand! “Give a gift that saves time and frustration. Grandma might love to sew, but threading those needles can be a Scrooge moment. Thread up a month’s worth of needles for Grandma and just watch your gift sew up her affection. It will clearly keep her in stitches and put a smile on her face.” 
  4. Think free and fabulous. “Give the age-old coupon that you personalize for an errand, from getting your best bud organized, driving carpool, pet-sitting, babysitting, to cake baking!”     
  5. Give mini wishes! “Consider filling a care package with their favorite chewing gum, free samples of higher-priced items, etc. Small gifts can be a big way of giving a variety of your favorite things, such as new products to try. You can include some coupons from the newspaper or stores to save them time, money and energy!”  
  6. Give a do-together gift. “Choose something for a friend that you two can do together, such as tickets for a friend or a mani and pedi.”
  7. Share a recipe. “Give a favorite recipe and the ingredients and maybe even a lesson in cake baking. Bring everything with you, stir up some fun and voila! You’ve made dessert for them.”
  8. Consider freezer pleasers. “Fill up a friend or family member’s freezer with casseroles, home-baked goodies and anything destined to freeze and then please! It’s such a thoughtful gift that’s certain to warm up even a Scrooge’s cold heart!”

ENTERTAINING                 WITH EASE

If you are responsible for hosting your family’s extended Christmas Eve dinner, or you just can’t give up the annual holiday bash you always throw, do not worry. The party can still be a smashing success even on a smaller budget. Los Angeles caterer Kate Paul of Food Ink believes a fabulous party is all in the details. Here are her top ten tips:

  1. “Easy floral décor for the table: do one type of flower so that there is no time-consuming arranging that might make you tear your hair out! Mismatched mason jars or small juice bottles (Italian fruit juice bottles are the best for a designer look) filled with one bloom—and underlit by tealights—is an easy, ten-minute design.”
  2. “Place candles outside the doorway, perhaps even up the path, to greet guests and let them know that you are happy to see them.”
  3. “Don’t forget hand towels, a candle and a small bud vase filled with fragrant flowers in the bathroom. These three things will make all the difference and guests will feel like they are at a high-end restaurant!”
  4. “Always offer a cheese platter, which you can set up the night before. Add crackers and berries just before the party starts. That way if guests turn up early (someone always does) they will have something to eat.”
  5. “In this challenging economy, think about potlucks with your friends so that you can all see each other without huge expenses falling to one person. Perhaps designate a theme and ask people to bring along a dish of their choice that fits the theme. You designate appetizer, salad, vegetable, side, dessert, etc., or just serve all heavy appetizers!”
  6. “Don’t be overly ambitious with the menu. It is better to offer the best-tasting four appetizers EVER than try to replicate that French Laundry Chef’s Table Experience. Good as you are, you won’t relax!”
  7. “Take one day to visit your local gourmet stores to see what new appetizers and prepared foods they have in stock. That way you can pre-plan food that can be oven easy if you don’t have it in you to cook every element.”
  8. “Ask your local liquor store if they will supply you with alcohol on a sale/return basis. You send back unused and unopened bottles so you only pay what is consumed and don’t have any leftovers that cost you money.”
  9. “Set up a proper bar, even if you’re only serving beer and wine. Put wine in a wine cooler, line glasses up on trays, and be sure to have the extras like sliced citrus for water, a bottle opener and a small garbage can nearby for trash.”
  10.  “Take the time to introduce your guests to each other, note what each may have in common or how you know them, and make sure that no one is left without a glass in their hand.”

TRAVEL TIPS

One of the most stressful things about the holidays is travel: from packing to security lines, crowded flights to inevitable delays. Add to that the fact that airfares are on the rise again this year and it’s hard to get too excited about leaving town. Fortunately, expert Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor and author of “Tough Times, Great Travels,” has lots of good advice for surviving the season:

  1.  “I’m a contrarian traveler, so my advice is this: it’s best to travel when everyone else ISN’T,” says Greenberg. “That means not hitting the road the Wednesday before or the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and definitely not the day before Christmas. But guess what? Winter does provide two great opportunities to travel when there are no crowds: the week AFTER Thanksgiving and just after New Year’s. Those are known as the dead weeks in travel, which means great deals, no crowds, and best of all, no traffic.”
  2. Use the Internet to your advantage, advises Greenberg on his website, PeterGreenberg.com. “Sign up for fare alerts for your specific city so you’ll be notified if and when the price goes down. Specific airlines have them, as do resources like Farecompare.com and AirfareWatchdog.com. Also, take a look at Bing Travel’s Farecast alert which tells you with reasonable confidence whether prices will go up, down, or stay flat.”
  3. If you have the time, connect. “Look for connecting flights rather than non-stops for better deals,” he says. “But make sure the layover is at least an hour. If you miss a connection due to a delay, it will be difficult to get on another flight.”
  4. “Last, but not least, on short trips, remember the most economical alternative is to skip the planes altogether and opt for a bus or train,” says Greenberg. “Prices around the holidays remain relatively stable, whether you’re traveling before, on or during Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.   Not all reservations are guaranteed, so arrive early to avoid being bumped.” 

Here are a few of my own…

  1. Respect the people that you deal with at the stores you are shopping in.  Retail jobs are stressful enough, and the holidays seem to bring out the anger in everyone.
  2. Utilize your phone web browser to keep up with specials that are going on.
  3. Make sure to get “gift receipts” if you aren’t sure if the receiver will want the gift.
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