Gift-Giving and the Economic Crunch

(NewsUSA) - During the holiday season, the down economy doesn't have to mean poor spirits. Sure, airlines have raised ticket prices and started charging for everything from checked bags to peanuts, but Americans can still find - and ship - perfect gifts on small budgets.

Creative holiday gifts seem to be the way to go this season. Artsy types can create beautiful crafts - like plush animals and beaded jewelry - from home. Less-skilled Americans can use online auction and price-comparison Web sites to find steals.

However, getting gifts from point A to B can be challenging. Holiday travelers might resist paying to check bags filled with gifts. Some families might stay at home to avoid high fuel costs.

Shipping gifts makes the most sense for cash-strapped Americans. Even people who are booked on flights can ship packages for less money than it takes to check their bags.

Pak Mail (www.pakmail.com), a full-service packing, shipping and crating franchise with locations nationwide, offers these tips for less expensive, safer shipping:

- Think ahead. The holidays arrive at the same time every year, so there's no reason to let them take you by surprise. Ship items early to avoid expensive rush deliveries. If you are traveling, mail your packages to your destination before you take your flight. You will bypass extra security lines and checked bag fees.

- Consolidate your gifts. Your brother and his children still live under the same roof, so put their individual gifts into one large box. Sending one 20-pound box costs less money than sending two 10-pound boxes.

- Comparison shop. Different carriers offer different rates. Get a few quotes before you commit to a company. Some shipping centers, like Pak Mail, will ship packages using any of several carriers, so customers have options when it comes to finding lower rates.

- Ship safely. Check hazardous material restrictions, packaging guidelines and weight requirements to ensure that carriers can ship your items. Put extra address labels in your boxes in case one label becomes damaged and unreadable.

- Hire the professionals. Strangely-shaped or fragile gifts might require custom packaging.

Handy Hints

¨ Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it.

¨ Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

¨ Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

¨ To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

¨ To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

¨ To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

¨ Spray your Tupperware with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces-no more stains.  

Another round of Handy Hints:

KITCHEN Style

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips!

Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off!

For easy "meatloaf mixing", combine the ingredients with a potato masher!

To easily remove honey from a measuring spoon, first coat the spoon with nonstick cooking spray!

To quickly use that frozen juice concentrate, simply mash it with a potato masher~no need to wait for it to thaw!

To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing!

Slicing meat when partially frozen makes it easier to get thin slices.

Instead of throwing away bread heels or leftover cornbread, use them to make bread crumbs. For use later, store them in the freezer.

Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.

To take the tears out of chopping onions: Plug in a portable fan and turn it to high. It'll help blow away the fumes from your eyes - no more tears!

Save celery leaves. Spread them out on paper towels or a paper plate and let them dry. Crumble them into soups, salads and stuffing's. They will add an extra zippy flavor for free.

Cottage cheese will remain fresher longer if you store it upside down in the refrigerator. This slows the  effects of oxidation.

Ice cream container sealed in a plastic bag will stop ice crystals from forming when it is in the freezer.

Potato chip bag open again and they're all stale and yucky?? Pop them in the microwave for 30 to 60  seconds, let stand for two minutes and they'll be crispy again.