Each year, my own children get caught in gift-giving dilemma and can't seem to find anything that their grandparents might need or desire. So here are a few, simple gift ideas that may win hearts of grandparents everywhere:

Gift Idea 1 - Special Gift Certificates Purchase colorful or seasonal, sturdy craft-paper. Cut into 8 equal segments, and have your children (especially teenagers) decorate one side of card with small items such as beads, glitter, or simple marker, crayon or colored pencil designs. Now, on opposite side, have you child write out little gift 'certificates;' redeemable by Grandparents.

For example, gift certificates could say: "The Bearer of this Certificate is entitled to... One Free Vacuuming One Free Lawn Mowing One Free Back Massage One Free Car Wash One Free Laundry Day or One Free House Dusting."

Of course, any and all of these sayings can be customized to fit age of child. Even heart-pleasing sayings like, "One Free Hug," or "One Free Dog Walk," make great gifts and are a simple way of saying, "I Love You."

Gift Idea 2 - Elegant Potpourri Warmers Don't know what to do with all those empty glass jelly jars? Here's a novel idea - buy a couple of bags of fresh or festive aromatic potpourri. (Which you can purchase at local dollar store.) Second, you will need a few, miniature 35-light holiday strands. Third, purchase a few, white or ivory-colored, cloth doilies (also can be bought from a dollar store), a bag of rubber bands, and a roll of gold, silver or preferred color ribbon.

Now, once you have all of necessary supplies (usually for less than $10) have your children carefully place one light strand per clean, empty jelly jar; with about 12-18" of plug extended from jar. Next, pack jar with potpourri. Now, place one small, doily over top of jar opening. Next, loop a snug-fitting rubber band around doily and jar to stay in place. Finally, cut a ribbon about 24" in length and pull around doily to disguise rubber band, and make a simple bow.

the complete report, click here. ( http://www.research.aarp.org/consume/d17192_longdis.pdf )

Since deregulation, there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of calling plans available in market today. This has been a windfall for consumers but unfortunately all of various plans and options can become very confusing for most consumers – particularly our elderly who grew up during AT&T only reign. Please read on if you or one of your family members fall into this category. We offer these tips to help cut through some of confusion and ease burden (pain) of selecting a calling plan that will save them considerable sums over time.

• Telemarketing Issues: Telemarketers and receiving spam email are one in same, as far as I am concerned. With unwanted email you can hit delete key; with telemarketers simply hang up. Besides, selecting a calling plan should be done with full knowledge and disclosure and reading fine print. You cannot do that over phone and you can rest assured that telemarketer is not going to be terrible forthcoming. As drug commercials say, just say no – then hang up.

• Peak versus Off-Peak Rates: You need to look for a calling plan that delivers same low price, any time and all of time. Although there are numerous plans out there that offer different rates for different times and weekends, they have tendency to mystify and bewilder mere mortals such as you and me.

• First Steps: Start with people you know and trust; family members, close neighbors and business associates if appropriate. Ask who they use and why; what their rates are and if there are any limitations. Check with them on whether there are monthly fees and minimums with their calling plan and most important, whether they are satisfied with their service and would recommend their carrier to others. Answers to these types of questions will get you pointed in right direction at least. Also, if you hear same company recommended by more than one friend then you need to look into their plans first.

• Primary Considerations: Unfortunately, getting right calling plan requires a little work on your part. You need to study your telephone calling behavior, check for patterns, times, particular cities that you call more frequently and so forth. Do you make most of your calls locally, within State or State-to-State? Are you a large consumer of International calls? Once you understand your personal calling habits and patterns you can begin to focus your attention on which carrier will best meet those need and meet your expectations with most competitive price. Match your calling pattern with recommendations you received from others in first step above. Is there a good fit? If so, pursue them further.