The holiday season can be a hectic time, especially when it comes to picking out gifts. No matter what the occasion, have fun finding that special gift for that special someone this Christmas:

As holiday shoppers brave the crowds in the malls this holiday season, there is a new way for them to make sure they are moving through the checkout more quickly – by making sure they know the PIN for their chip card. Canadian financial institutions have been rolling out credit cards with chip technology for over a year so many of the Visa cards in Canada now have chip and PIN technology.

10 family literacy tips and activities to warm the winter holidays

(Toronto, ON, December 1, 2009) – Winter holidays provide an excellent opportunity for families and friends to spend time together learning and practicing literacy skills.

Much like the nation’s geese, Canadians love to fly south for the winter.

In fact, the state of Florida alone receives about a million seasonal visitors, many of whom are from Canada and affectionately known as snowbirds.

A recent survey by Deloitte in Canada showed that 44 per cent of Canadians are planning to spend less on holiday shopping this year than in previous years. As people look to tighten their belts, financial expert, columnist and TV host Alison Griffiths says it’s a perfect time to get reacquainted with an important yet oft-forgotten financial tool - the budget.

Every Christmas it’s the same story – what do you get for someone who is impossible to buy for? The one person who keeps you awake at night re-evaluating what gift you should get for them. It can be tough knowing what to buy someone who is hard to please. This year, avoid the worry and stress with these helpful tips that will leave even the pickiest of people excited about their gift:

This year, it’s a different kind of holiday season; and many people would rather avoid overstuffed shopping malls packed with more they bargained for in the germ department. If you’re unlucky enough to bring home a flu bug after a lengthy shopping excursion, you’ll be feeling more than a little “bah humbug.”

Attention: Assignment Editor/News Editor/City Editor

Attention: Assignment Editor/News Editor/City Editor

Attention: Assignment Editor/News Editor/City Editor