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In this economy, it pays to be prepared. That's why our 2009 gift guide is loaded with all the resources your readers need to begin planning their shopping strategy. In addition to photos and illustrations, the guide is filled with reviews, gift ideas, shopping advice and more.
Unemployment is up; our 401(k)s are down. But that doesn't mean you have to cancel Christmas. We've talked to frugality experts to bring you a guide to having a thriftier _ but still wonderful _ holiday season.
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You say you overspent your budget last year and didn't pay off your Christmas bills until Easter? 1. Pay cash. 2. Know thy enemy. Another credit-card trap is two-cycle billing, in which card issuers charge interest on balances you've already paid.
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With the sour economy, holiday budgets are tight this year. Sentiments like this have prompted retailers to try even harder to lure shoppers in the door. 1. Being blinded by bargains.
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Making a game plan, including a list of people to buy for, will help you keep your sanity -- and navigate the crowds -- this holiday shopping season. (Chris Ware/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT)
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A stock person fills in the shelves with Christmas items inside the Christmas Shop at a WalMart in Newport News, Virginia. (Joe Fudge/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)
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Nerds. Geeks. Fanboys. Whatever you call them, the comics aficionados, movie buffs and videogame enthusiasts who dwell amongst us can be really hard to shop for. Let this humble gift guide serve as a cheat sheet for the loot you'll either be picking up or dropping hints about.
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Kodak EX1011 Wireless Digital Frame
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Marvel Comics' Digital Comics Unlimited
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Turtle Beach Ear Force X41 wireless headphones
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Justice League: The Complete Series
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Logitech Driving Force GT Racing Wheel
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iHome Studio Series IP1
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Fight Club (Blu-ray, Nov. 17, 2009)
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Electroflow Inductive Charger
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Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra speakers
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In the spirit of "It's better to give than to receive," the best scenario, when giving, is when your gift is picked to be opened first.
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This folk art Santa could just stand there and be cute, but he has many more talents than just being decorative. Pull up the duck, and it releases Santa's secret drawer. From a line of puzzle boxes, this one is $125 at Neiman Marcus. (Ross Hailey/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)
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If you've been very, very good, there might actually be a set of car keys inside the black jaguar box by Jay Strongwater, $2,000 at Neiman Marcus. (Ross Hailey/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)
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This sliding-top wood box from Thailand, on the left, has been custom-fitted to hold a bottle of wine or champagne.The two brackets that hold the bottle upright and unmoving can be removed. $35, Namaste in Fort Worth, Texas; (817) 989-0800. This green jewelry box with multiple drawers made of handpainted leather on wood can hold a multitude of presents. All it needs is a pretty red bow to look its seasonal best. $130 from Namaste. (Ross Hailey/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)
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The gift-giving season is almost upon us, but thoughtfulness and practicality are year-round goals, as is keeping your sanity.
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Homemade gifts bring out the artisan in you, and oohs and aahs from the lucky friends and family members who receive them. Making homemade soap isn't as hard as it sounds. And when it comes time to give the gift, just wrap the soaps in a new washcloth and tie with raffia ribbon. (Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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The Smith helmet has built-in audio so you can listen to tunes on the slopes for a very reasonable price ($55, Sierra Trading Post). (Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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Made by an Idaho-based company with a reputation for quality eyewear, these Smith Fuse goggles come with a lifetime warranty on the frames and straps, and include an extra lens ($69-$89, REI). (Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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A beanie is a great way to regulate your body temperature, as well as the easiest piece of gear to take on and off ($30, REI). (Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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Not everyone on your gift list enjoys quiet evenings in front of the fire. If you're looking for something with a bit more kick for the snow and ice fans on your list, check out these ideas.
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Coleman's Fold 'n' Go two-burner propane camp stove is compact, but offers an extra-large cooking area ($99, REI). (Pete Zimowsky/Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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Vibram's Five Fingers shoes are lightweight and make an ideal camp shoe, especially for backpacking (From $70 to $90, depending on the style, www.VibramFiveFingers.com). (Pete Zimowsky/Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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The SteriPEN classic water purifier kills viruses, bacteria and protozoa with ultraviolet light ($59.95 (sale), www.backcountryedge.com). (Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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The Mammut TX1 headlamp is super bright and has super focus. It is great for backpacking, camping, or even biking ($79.95, REI). (Pete Zimowsky/Idaho Statesman/MCT)
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Anyone who has spent time camping recently knows that it involves more than pitching a tent and starting a fire. Sure, the basics don't change, but today's camping aficionados use technology to their advantage. Help keep those camping fires burning with these gift suggestions.
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Vintage-inspired aprons should come with a warning label: This garment increases the risk of cooking, baking and other exploits of domestic prowess.
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Vintage inspired aprons by Sandra Skellenger.
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Vintage inspired aprons by Sandra Skellenger.
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Vintage inspired aprons by Sandra Skellenger.
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From top left, clockwise: Calvin Klein ($116.80); Prada ($795); Big Buddha Eclipse ($37.50); Nancy Gonzalez ($4,200). (Ross Hailey/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)
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It's time to snap up a shoulder stunner before the best styles sell out.
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Think Human First, a charity Karla McKinley co-founded to help build schools in Africa and around the world, is up and running. On the site, you can check out their 14-karat double helix bracelet and purchase them to help raise funds for the cause.
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Think Human First, a charity Karla McKinley co-founded to help build schools in Africa and around the world, is up and running. (MCT)
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J Crew Timex Military Watch. It's subtly retro and at the same time classically modern. (Charlotte Observer/MCT)
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Kiehl's Pour Homme 1987 Essence Oil. There's no fancy pretense in this masculine fragrance with clean, slight cedary and musky overtones. From the spartan packaging to the classical roller bottle applicator and the concentrated essential oil formulation, it's 100 percent male. (Charlotte Observer/MCT)
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Jack Black Beard Lube. The best way to get the big guy to take care of his skin is to be sneaky. This three-in-one product is perfect for stylish subterfuge. Beard Lube is a shave oil, shave cream and skin conditioner all at once. (Charlotte Observer/MCT)
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Nordstrom Guide to Men's Style. Every woman knows if you want to teach your husband or father something about style, you get someone else to do it for you. Enter expert author Tom Julian, who demystifies fashion in a info-and-photo-packed tome that helps men define their personal style. (Charlotte Observer/MCT)
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Some fathers behave like stray cats when it comes to style. We know most dads want to be a bit more hip, but don't want to ask for help. Here are some ideas to help coax Daddy-o out of his fashion-deprived dark space this holiday. J Crew Timex Military Watch. It's subtly retro and at the same time classically modern. Jack Black Beard Lube.
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The Pillow Bar's new Lucky Dog dog beds are filled with Hungarian goose down, encased in 300-thread-count cotton sateen and covered in stylish, durable Sunbrella or soft vinyl. Twenty percent of the $360 price will be donated to The Humane Society. (Ross Hailey/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)
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What to get the dog that has everything? They collaborated on the beds this summer after a customer told them, "I'd like my dog to sleep as well as I do." Choose from these styles — the Ranch Dog, covered with tooled leather-like chocolate-brown vinyl; the Designer Dog, covered with a black and white damask-Sunbrella; or the sage herringbone or club stripe Sunbrella Country Club Dog bed.
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These frames by ck Calvin Klein have a built-in USB memory card. (Calvin Klein/MCT)
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I'm a geek and I don't care who knows it. So much cooler than the office nerds who wear memory sticks dangling from cords around their necks. I do not know why, but I'm a little bit obsessed with USB memory cards. I use them to back-up information sometimes, which is something that everyone needs to do more.
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In this era of personal budgeting, bringing lunch to work is fairly common. Help your friends and family members stop brown-bagging it with one of these cool boxes.
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Who wouldn't want to tote this beaut everywhere you go? It's neoprene, from Built, and this one's in French Bull's vine pattern. Cost: $25, builtny.com. (Built/MCT)
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The Picnic Time Metro Collection Milano Tote is big and bold and insulated, with separate sections for food and bottle, and an out-front pocket for, say, your napkin. Acrylic hoop handles make it not-so-lunchboxy. Cost: $19.85, amazon.com. (Picnic Time/MCT)
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Every component of these bento-style lunchboxes, from utensils to water bottles to "bento buddy" food containers, is reusable for years. And, new this year, you can pick an insulated carrier in a cool design. Cost: $39.99 complete set, laptoplunches.com. (Laptop Lunches/MCT)
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Cool brown purse? Not only. Really, it's the Gypsy Girl lunchbox tote from Thermos, believe it or not. Insulated, with plenty o' room for sammies and drinks. Cost: $13.95, lunchboxes.com. (Thermos/MCT)
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This modern-day lunchbox from Oots! comes in orange and yellow, baby-boy blue and red, or shades of green. A sturdy box on the bottom with a seal-tight lid, there's an adjustable elastic strap for carrying, or cradling your water bottle. Cost: $45, serenaandlily.com. (Oots/MCT)
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If you've ever had your face painted by a professional makeup artist, you know the stunning, flawless results achieved. The reason is not skill alone: Professionals use the right tools for the job.
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Bobbi Brown’s Basic Brush Collection is packed in a handy portable black case. The professional-quality kit is $175 at Bobbi Brown counters and at BobbiBrown.com. (Bobbi Brown/MCT)
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Sonia Kashuk Brush Up on Pink Purse Brush Set is a gorgeous pink metallic-handled six-piece set in a snazzy, flowered clutch ($12.99). Kashuk, who is a breast cancer survivor, will donate 15 percent of the price to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Available through Nov. 4 at Target and Target.com. (Target/MCT)
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Sephora's Double-Ended Color-Dipped Brushes are fabulous two-in-one tools in delicious hues. We loved the purple Smoky Eye Brush; $18 at Sephora stores or Sephora.com. (Sephora/MCT)
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Earth-friendly Ecotools bamboo-handled 6-piece brush set is $12.99. The brushes are soft and don't shed. Find Ecotools at Walgreens, K-Mart and Target or Eco-Tools.com. (Ecotools/MCT)
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Darac TourQuam Luxe — 3-D Face Sculpting Brush ($75) eliminates clumping by picking up the perfect amount of face powder. The secret is a magnet housed inside the handle. Most face powders contain iron oxide and the brush "magically" attracts the right amount of product and the angled head gets into corners to give you a perfect blend. Available at DaracBeauty.com. (Darac/MCT)
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Few people claim winter as their favorite season, and the fashion world tends to ignore this time of the year. Perhaps it's excessive layering and frigid weather that makes winter fashion seem more like a necessity than a luxury.
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The Faux-Fur Tippet by Mossimo Giannulli is a wrap that is lined on both sides with faux-fur. Available only in black. $19.99, available at select Target stores. (Target/MCT)
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The Kindled Warmth Scarf has an intricate knit pattern that ends with lengthy fringe. Made with acrylic, available only in taupe. $38 at Anthropologie stores or Anthropologie.com. (Anthropologie/MCT)
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The nine-disc set "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live," being released Oct. 20, is the Smithsonian Institution of music DVDs _ fascinating, sprawling, inspiring, exhausting.
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The nine-DVD set "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live" (Courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum/MCT)
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Picture yourself in a boat on a river. Or onstage in the middle of a Shea Stadium filled with screaming girls. Or on the roof of Abbey Road Studios, surrounded by blue skies. All that and more becomes possible through The Beatles: Rock Band.
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Subtle tweaks to the menu of "The Beatles: Rock Band" deliver a better play experience than earlier versions of "Rock Band." Harmonix meticulously represents the band members and their career, while adding a great interpretive aesthetic unique to the game. (MCT)
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The Beatles: Rock Band, for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, is $53.99 at Amazon.com. It includes 45 Beatles tunes.
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Let audiophiles debate whether the Beatles albums sound best in the newly remastered, highly touted mono or in the fresh stereo editions.
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300 dpi Rick Nease color illustration of the Beatles. The Detroit Free Press 2009
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Homemade gifts are an easy way to lend a personal touch to holiday giving.
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Homemade gifts are an easy way to lend a personal touch to holiday giving, like this Egyptian spice, nut and seed blend.
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Homemade gifts are an easy way to lend a personal touch to holiday giving.
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Homemade gifts are an easy way to lend a personal touch to holiday giving.
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Homemade gifts are an easy way to lend a personal touch to holiday giving. No-salt seasoning mix. The recipient: Someone who is watching their salt intake, or a cook who enjoys a fresh take on flavors. The gear: A selection of herbs and spices.
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Sleek and colored a zippy "Candy Apple Red," perfect for the holidays, this Vertical Rabbit corkscrew is an armless version of the classic Rabbit model.
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Crate and Barrel Pocket Corkscrew in Black Case, also known as the waiter's corkscrew, gets the job done quickly without fuss.
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Atlas Wing-Style Corkscrew is rugged looking in a high-tech way.
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Unless corks go the way of rotary dial phones, eight-track tapes and the Edsel, expect to need a corkscrew to open your bottles of wine. Question is: Which one to buy?
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Unholster your glue gun and get ready to channel your inner crafter. BUTTON KEEPSAKE BOX. Stash treats or trinkets inside, or gift-wrap empty as an objet d' art for a notions-loving pal.
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For simple, inexpensive gifts or for your own home decor, choose a shallow shadowbox that allows you to place the glass low inside the box. Some picture frames will work, too, if you use knobs that come with the screws already attached. (Joel Koyoma/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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For simple, inexpensive gifts or for your own home decor, recycled olive jars and assorted pearl beads make a decorative wired table vase. (Joel Koyoma/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Give a set of handmade gift tags culled from your stash of last year's cards. (Joel Koyoma/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Glittery bits dress up these mod-podge glass votives for the holidays. (Joel Koyoma/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Take care as you glue to keep the CDs perfectly aligned when making this CD lamp for the holidays. (Joel Koyoma/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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Stash treats or trinkets inside, or gift-wrap empty as an object of art for a notions-loving pal with this button keepsake box for the holidays. (Joel Koyoma/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)
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A Very Special Christmas
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Historic Jimi Hendrix concerts, a legendary performance from Nirvana, U2's remastered The Unforgettable Fire, every recording by Buddy Holly, a new generation of talent on A Very Special Christmas, every Motown #1 hit, nearly every Rolling Stones album since 1971 and a collection from famed sideman Klaus Voormann.
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Beaba Babycook, $150, Williams-Sonoma, online retailers and children's boutiques
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The Peanut Shell Bessie Sling, $139, www.thepeanutshell.com
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For mom. Flip Mino, camcorder. $150-$230, Major discount stores and online retailers. A perfect present to help mom and dad capture all those milestones and other mundane yet oh-so-amazing moments. Porn for New Moms, book. $10, bookstores.
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Holiday decoration is placed for a house tour and Christmas tea event at the house of Robert and Sandy Hatten in Gloucester, Virginia, December 8, 2008. The house, Colraine, is a renovated 19th-century classic white frame house is decorated for the holidays with locally picked greenery. (Sangjib Min/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)
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300 dpi Dave Eames color illustration of colorful, wrapped packages under black and white Christmas tree, one is heart-shaped, the other shaped like a dollar bill.
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Shoppers crowd an escalator at Hulen Mall on the day-after-Christmas on Friday, December 26, 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas.
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300 dpi Chris Ware color illustration of disgruntled postman trudging through snow with his sack stuffed with holiday greetings.
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300 dpi Laurie McAdam color illustration of a partridge in a pear tree.
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300 dpi Tim Lee color illustration of worried man, dressed in Santa hat and holiday tie, pulling out his empty pant-pockets.
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300 dpi Tim Lee color illustration of woman struggling to eat a sandwich while balancing holiday shopping bags and baby.
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300 dpi Laurie McAdam color illustration of Santa with tall hats and surrounded by the tops of many other Santa hats.
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Brett Palmer, 11, right, looks over a True Heroes Flight Plane while his mom, Gunda Palmer, writes down the name and price on a "wish list" at the Toys R Us store in Schaumburg, Illinois.
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300 dpi John Alvin color illustration of four holiday banners for Eid Al-Adha, Kwanzaa, Christmas and Hanukkah.
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300 dpi Tim Goheen color illustration of three shady-looking Santas standing in the snow.
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