Holiday gift guide 2008

Places to find handmade gifts

There are plenty of wonderful shops in Baltimore that sell handmade items from some of your favorite local crafters.

Taste

Beers, wines that won't break your gift budget

I gave myself the assignment of finding wines and beers that I not only would like to receive as a gift, but also cost less than $25 and in most cases less than $20.

Gifts for the Gardener

The gardener on your holiday gift list might be the easiest person to shop for. That's because a gardener will be pleased with any purchase that he can use in the garden - and any gift for the home that reminds him of being in the garden.

Books for the cook

Here are five new books that deliver good bang for the buck, and that we think the cooks on your list will love.

Holiday buying surges, slows

Shoppers taking advantage of steep discounts and door-buster deals spent more than expected the day after Thanksgiving, but spending slowed as the weekend progressed, early surveys showed.

Buyers rule on Black Friday

Faced with rising food and other costs, and fears about job security, shoppers said they tempered their spending at Baltimore-area shopping malls and other retail spots while marking the traditional kickoff to the holiday buying season.

Price-conscious shrug off economy troubles

The economy may be forcing consumers to pull back on spending overall, but it didn't stop people from braving long lines and crowds for post- Thanksgiving deals. The hope from retailers is that customers will open their wallets and spend.

High-tech haggle

With the weak economy persuading more people to shop hard for bargains, many resort to good old-fashioned haggling.

A not-so-simple gift

Gift cards have mushroomed into the most requested holiday gift by consumers. But the troubled economy is likely going to affect the way you and other consumers spend on gift cards. And there are more precautions you should take this year.

Come, all ye frugal

To lure shoppers amid an economic downturn, retailers are pushing holiday promotions earlier than ever; they're offering extended store hours and steep cuts on a number of items.

Stop and Shop

Holiday shopping can feel like an expensive chore, robbing you of precious weekends. Or it can feel like a present to yourself. We've investigated three destinations, within a few hours drive, where you can get all of your holiday shopping done in a single, concentrated weekend.