About Today: How to Survive the Holidays 12/10/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor Remember when you were a kid, and all you had to worry about the holidays was whether you were going to get the present you wanted? OK, maybe you also worried about avoiding coal in your stocking. But that was about it.

How to Manage Holiday Stress  For most of us, those days seem long ago now. Between work, family, and planning a holiday celebration, it's hard to remember that the holidays are supposed to be fun. Readers Respond: How Do You Manage Holiday Stress? What Is Stress? See More About:  understanding stress  holiday stress  stress relief

Holiday Relationship Guide  Holidays are tough on relationships, whether you're meeting each other's families for the first time or you've been married for years. Being Single During the Holidays The December Dilemma for Interfaith Couples See More About:  dating advice  holiday dating  gift ideas

Family Holidays Survival Guide  Sometimes I think the main goal of the holidays is to keep from freaking out and throwing mashed potatoes at your family's heads. (Although that could be fun, provided you don't have to do the cleaning up.) Home for the Holidays: Tips for Gays and Lesbians Give Cheap Gifts Without Looking Cheap

How to Beat Holiday Perfectionism  Maybe perfectionism is the real enemy. Here's how to embrace the less-than-perfect holiday. How to Survive the Holidays as a Married Couple 8 Ways to Survive the Holidays in Style See More About:  holiday stress  perfectionism  christmas stress

About Today: Can't Think of a Gift? Give to Charity 12/09/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor The remaining folks on my shopping list have one thing in common: They have everything they need, and most of what they want. This make them almost impossible to shop for. Which means that maybe it's time to rethink the whole gift thing altogether, and consider giving to charity.

8 Ways to Donate to Charity  There are plenty of different ways to give, so you'll be sure to find something in this article that works for you. (Bonus: You'll also get to find out what "microphilanthropy" is. Hint: It's not donating microchips, or mica, or microphones.) Great Charities for the Whole Family How to Maximize Charitable Giving in a Recession See More About:  charitable giving  foundations  donor-advised funds

Is Your Charitable Gift In Good Hands?  However you choose to give, you'll want to make sure your gift is going to the right people. There's nothing more annoying than finding out that your hard-earned cash isn't reaching the intended recipient. How to Give Safely at the Holidays What Is a Giving Circle? See More About:  tax exempt organizations  email fundraising  global giving

Can You Deduct It on Your Taxes?  Of course, the point is to help others. But who would say no to a bigger tax refund? Tax Deductions for Charitable Donations How to Donate a Car to Charity See More About:  501(c)(3)  safe charitable giving  philanthropy

Gifts Without Guilt  Some people on your list might not appreciate a straight-up donation to charity. In that case, you can still buy them a tangible present, and donate at the same time. 7 Keys to Raising Charitable Children How Should Donors Pick a Charity? See More About:  giving to charity  philanthropy  fundraising

About Today: Over 100 Gifts for Outdoorsy Types 12/08/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor I am what's known as an indoor kid, so when it comes time to buy for the outdoorsy types on my list, I'm often at a loss. I tend to think they're looking for things like natural yarn with which to weave their own tent, or perhaps a bullet to bite on in case of a horrible, outdoors-related injury. Great Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast  My more athletic friends tell me, however, that these are terrible gifts, which is why I'm glad I work here and can find other ideas on About.com. Gift Ideas for Her Outdoor World Gifts for Outdoor-Living Guys See More About:  gift baskets  home appliances  knives 10 Walking Gifts for Under $25  The trick is to find things that aren't super expensive - and it is a trick. You could spend a gagillion dollars on outdoor equipment if you're in the mood. (But really, who is?) 8 Gifts for Bike Riders 11 Gifts for Runners See More About:  walking gifts  walking gear  10 Gifts for Beginning Snowboarders  I like to get people gifts that help them start sports. I feel like it makes up for my reluctance to participate in any myself. 10 Gifts for Skiers 15 Gifts for Skaters See More About:  snowboard equipment  snowboard gifts  snowboards Gift Ideas for Gardeners  My favorite thing to get people from this list: an orchard. It's great, because it's beautiful, and also a gardening test to see if they can keep it alive. Gifts for Birders Best Gifts for Golfers See More About:  gifts for gardeners  garden tools  containers

About Today: What Not to Do at the Office Party 12/07/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor The most wonderful time of the year is also potentially dangerous for your career, especially if you're engaging in the annual ritual known as the holiday party.

Top 7 Office Party Gaffes  What seems like a good chance to blow off some steam with your colleagues can turn into a corporate event you'll regret for the rest of your career. Etiquette Mistakes at the Company Holiday Party Should Your Company Have a Holiday Party? See More About:  holidays at work  office parties and celebrations  employee satisfaction

Top Office Party Blunders You've Experienced?  I still remember things that happened at holiday parties at the beginning of my career. There's nothing more frightening than the moment when people have had just enough to drink to decide they're really funny. What Are the Top Office Party Blunders You've Experienced? The Power of Taking Responsibility for Your Actions

Should You Drink at the Holiday Party?  You can avoid that problem by not drinking at all at the party. Which also gives you the opportunity to be soberly amused while other people are putting lampshades on their heads. Tips for Managing Alcohol at Office Celebrations How to Maintain Sobriety During the Holidays See More About:  organizational culture  drinking alcohol at company events  liability insurance

How to Survive the Office Party  This is the best advice I've heard so far about office parties: "The annual office holiday party is more 'office' than 'party.'" 10 Corporate Holiday Party Planning Tips 10 Tips to Reduce Employee Holiday Party Expenses See More About:  office holiday party  career enhancement

About Today: What You Need to Know About Organic Foods 12/06/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor I started eating organic foods a few years ago, when I accidentally bought organic bananas and thought they tasted better. That was, at the time, my sole motivation: deliciousness, rather than avoiding pesticides or helping the environment.

When Is Organic Really Organic?  But what does "organic" really mean? Does it mean pesticide-free? Grown without hormones? All-natural? (Whatever that means.) And what should you be looking for, if you're interested in organic food or products? Organic Food: Worth the Cost? How to Save on Organic Food See More About:  organic food  organic farming  sustainable food products

What You Need to Know About Organic Foods  More questions: Are organic foods better for you, and is organic farming better for the environment? Smart Buys in Organic Food What's Cracking With Organic Eggs? See More About:  organic foods  food labeling

Which Food Products Qualify for Organic Certification?  If you do decide to go organic, you're going to need to learn how to translate food labels into something resembling English. Which Food Products Cannot be Certified Organic? What Is Organic Beef? See More About:  organic groceries  organic farming  organic dairy products

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Labels  For instance, just because something is labeled "organic" doesn't mean that it's made of 100% organic ingredients. National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances Before You Get Your Farm Certified Organic See More About:  organic certification  organic policies  certified organic food

About Today: The Worst of 2010 - Pop Culture Edition 12/03/10

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor And now for my favorite newsletter of the year: The pop culture edition, in which we trash the trash we consumed all year.

Top 10 Most Annoying Pop Songs of 2010  All of these songs make me grateful I don't have to listen to the radio on the way to work. Listen to these long enough and you'll be ready to tell yourself anything you wanted to know. Which Song Annoyed You Most in 2010? Last Year's Most Annoying Pop Songs See More About:  annoying songs  2010 music  lil wayne

Best and Worst of 2010 Red Carpet  The best looks were the best a person could possibly look, but the worst ... well, can I introduce you the jumpsuit of the future? Red Carpet Dos and Don'ts 2010 Top Ten Weird, Strange, and Odd Hair News Stories See More About:  red carpet fashion  grammy fashion  golden globe fashion

Best and Worst Fitness Trends of 2010  Fitness as pop culture? I'd argue yes, since we're now obsessed with fitness (which is interesting, considering that we're less fit than ever). Best Exercise Tools, Websites, and Gear What's Your Favorite Home Fitness Equipment? See More About:  fitness trends  new year  new year's resolutions

Worst Books of 2010 - Most Overrated Books of the Year  I'm a confirmed book worm, so overrated books are much sadder to me than pop songs that won't leave my head. What Was the Worst Book You Read in 2010? The Best Books of 2010 See More About:  2010 books  bad books