Gift Idea 3 - Priceless Ornaments For less than $2, you can buy a box of solid colored, Styrofoam, plastic or glass ball ornaments. Have your children customize these ornaments by decorating them with glitter pens, loose glitter and craft paint. With a little glue, some creativity and a little ingenuity, these personalized ornaments make for great gifts and are truly unique as each one will have its own distinct personality.

Gift Idea 4 - Cookies Holiday cookies are always a great gift idea. Children can arrange festive cookies on a colorful, plastic or paper plate. After arrangement is completed, wrap entire plate with colorful cellophane paper. Seal with a wire tie or pipe cleaner, then loop a ribbon around tie. Here's a great holiday cookie recipe:

Snow Meringues

3 Egg Whites 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp vanilla Pinch Salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spread parchment paper or aluminum foil (dull side up) on a flat cookie sheet.

With an electric mixer, beat egg whites. Once soft peaks have formed, fold in sugar, tartar, salt and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on high until stiff peaks form. Taking a tablespoon, drop spoonfulls of meringue onto prepared cookie sheet, carefully swirling tops with spoon, approximately 1 1/2 inches apart from one another. Yields approximately 12-18 (*depending on size of spoondrops).

Place in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. When time is up, turn off oven and leave snow meringues in oven an additional 2 hours. After oven time is complete, remove pan and carefully peel meringues off parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Serve with a side of whipped cream, hot coffee or tea.

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Most grandparents love getting gifts from heart. Remember, it's not value of gift, it's thought that goes into it.

Hoping all have a wonderful holiday season, I am

CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd aka. Lady Camelot Public Relations Director & Staff Writer www.holisticjunction.com www.mediapositiveradio.com

© 2004 - Unique & Easy Gift-Giving Ideas for Grandchildren - that Cost Less than $10

• Leasing versus Owning Phone: There is no reason today to lease a telephone from your local carrier. Check your telephone bill and see if there is a line item for leased equipment. If there is, head down to your local retailer that sells telephones and pick up a phone that suits your needs. Chances are you will be able to purchase a telephone with more features and at a cost that will save you a tidy sum every year. There are many retailers that sell phones for well under $100 with some below $50. There are many telephone carriers that charge leasing fees up to $20.00 per month or $240 per year. Today that is just a waste of money.

• Cramming: Get into habit of reviewing your telephone bill every month. Although reputable telephone carriers do not indulge in spurious practice of cramming, they do occasionally make a mistake. Cramming is practice of placing additional charges for goods and services on your telephone bill that you did not authorize or purchase. It is illegal. In case of a mistakes or suspected cramming, you need to contact company and ask them, politely initially, to explain charges. If you didn’t authorize purchase then ask your carrier to remove it from your bill. If they fail to remove charge from your bill, and you feel that charge is wrong, then contact your local office of

Public Utilities or go to FCC web site and file a complaint.

• Added Features: There are many fine features that can be added to your telephone service to enhance its functions and permit a broader range of useful information. But if you are like me, and could care less about fancy bells and whistles, remove those services that you really don’t need or want. Unfortunately, there are many seniors that are sold a package of goods and services when they sign up for a new service or when telemarketers call with latest gizmo. If you don’t need it, don’t get it. If you have it and don’t use it, remove it. All of these little “extras” increase your bill and could be a waste of money.

• Saving on Calling Plans with Fixed or Low Income: The Federal Government is committed to providing telephone service to all Americans. The Federal Universal Service Fund includes low-income program; which provides discounts on telephone installation and basic monthly service to qualifying consumers. There are two components to low income program, Lifeline Assistance (“Lifeline”) and Link-Up America (“Link-Up”). Lifeline and Link-Up are available to all qualifying low-income consumers nationwide. The FCC’s enhanced Lifeline and Link-UP programs, however, which offer additional discounts, are available only for qualifying consumers living on Tribal Lands. Check with your local provider and ask about these programs in order to earn discounts on basic telephone service. For more information about these low income programs click here. ( http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.pdf )

• Changing Long Distance Carriers too Much Trouble: Many people feel that switching carriers is just too much trouble and a bit too confusing. They are probably right. But in any event, if you decide to keep your existing carrier then at least check with them to make sure you are getting best value for your money and cheapest rates they offer. Do some of other tips we suggest here, such as getting rid of leased equipment and extra features and you will be able to trim your bill substantially.