Online Features
Seasonal
Give welcoming gifts to your out-of-town holiday guests
Share your appreciation for family, friends and loved ones who have traveled from out of town this holiday season by giving meaningful gifts. From seasonal gift baskets to gift cards and personalized winter weather accessories, there are plenty of ways to share in the holiday spirit and be thankful for those around you. Remember, it's the thought that counts.
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Eight important cyber security steps for holiday shopping online
Remember the days when keeping track of your wallet and hiding packages in the trunk were all you had to do to ensure your holidays were safe and secure? Fast forward to 2012 - when the National Retail Federation says nearly 52 percent of holiday gift-givers will be shopping online - and staying secure requires more effort.
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Tips for a safe and stress-free holiday shopping season
It may be the season of joy, but for many Americans, the holidays can also be a time of great stress - particularly when it comes to gift-giving and shopping. If you're among the millions of Americans who want to experience a safer, less stressful holiday season, consider these tips.
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Tips for going nuts with your holiday recipes this year
Whether you're roasting them over an open fire or cooking them into your holiday favorites, nuts can be used to enhance almost any recipe. You'd be hard-pressed to find an ingredient with more versatility, as nuts can be used to create a flavor accent or to provide some extra crunch and texture while keeping dishes fresh...
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Tips to enhance holiday meals with flavor
Thanksgiving and Christmas meals often incorporate a lot of traditional foods and flavors, which as a host, may become a bit boring. But when you have friends and family visiting for several days, there are plenty of opportunities to shine with new flavors and interesting meals.
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The conversation on giving: What is your family passionate about?
How many times has your child come home with news of a new penny drive or fundraiser happening at school or a place of worship? Often, children are eager to get involved with these fundraising efforts because there are reward incentives at the end, but parents can take this opportunity to discuss with children the real v...
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5 perfect presents make gift-giving easy
If picking out holiday gifts is painless for you, you're one of the lucky ones. More often than not, people have a tough time finding the perfect present for friends and family, particularly if you have someone on your list who already seems to have everything. So, if you're stumped as to what to get that impossible-to-b...
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Christmas light trade-in program [Infographic]
Christmas light trade-in program [Infographic]
Perhaps no color represents the holidays better than green. Trees, wreaths, wrapping paper and now, eco-minded homeowners are "going green" by exchanging their old incandescent holiday light strings for energy efficient LED strings. The fourth annual Christmas Light Trade...
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Protect what matters this holiday season
The winter holiday season is here, which means we can look forward to a lot of decorating, parties and possibly some travel during the next few months. But with all the hustle and bustle of shopping and celebrating, it's important not to lose sight of what matters most: the safety of your family and home.
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By Andy Sullivan and Kim Dixon WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The outgoing head of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service angered Republican lawmakers on Friday by resisting their demands that he identify who at the tax-collection agency had inappropriately targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny. But during the first hearing into a growing IRS scandal that could preoccupy Washington for months, Republicans did learn that a top official in President Barack Obama's administration knew that the IRS was looking into targeting by the tax agency nearly a year ago. ...
By Joanne von Alroth SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - The Illinois Senate on Friday voted to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes, which if signed into law would make it the second-most-populous state in the nation after California to allow the drug's use for medical purposes. The bill, approved by the Illinois House in April, now moves to Governor Pat Quinn's desk to await his signature. Quinn has indicated he is sympathetic to the bill, especially as it would benefit injured veterans. "We fully expect Gov. ...
By Michelle McLoughlin FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (Reuters) - A commuter train traveling eastbound from New York City derailed near the Connecticut suburb of Fairfield during the evening rush hour on Friday and collided with a westbound commuter train, injuring up to 60 people, three critically, officials said. The collision of the two Metro North trains forced Amtrak to shut down service indefinitely between New York and Boston, the national railroad said. Three people were critically injured and 60 people were transported to area hospitals, police said. ...