Articles Tagged with holidays

Don't always blame the holiday platters. Your widening waistline may have more to do with your drink, especially if you're giddy at the thought of the open bar at the office holiday bash. Drinking low-cal requires a little know-how, so let's review a few key tips to keep your alcohol merriment calorically responsible.

What's Your Proof and Mixer? Try diet tonic or diet soda with your gin or rum instead of the straight, sweet stuff. Light lemonade is great, so is coffee. Watch out for fruit juices, 6 ounces of orange juice has 84 calories. Consider infused vodkas and flavored liquors, which take mixers out of the equation. And don't forget 80-proof vodka has 64 calories per ounce, compared to 82 calories in 100-proof. The pour matters, too. Longer pours mean more calories.

Alcohol and Food are Co-Dependent. Alcohol and food can have a frenzied relationship. An 8-ounce Long Island iced tea has more calories (780) than a McDonald's Big Mac. And one too many top shelf Long Islands often means you'll succumb to a Big Mac attack at the end of the night, after six parmesan puffs, four shrimp tempuras and three truffles.

Don't Drink Dessert. Your cocktail does not need a sugared rim, shaved chocolate,...

Gift baskets make excellent presents for a variety of occasions and personalities. They are equally appropriate for a close relative or an acquaintance because they can be as personalized or as basic as you choose. A gift basket filled with decadent chocolates and other sweets is a nice way to say "Happy holidays" to your co-workers. Or pack a gift basket with cold-weather gear, hot chocolate and a mug to say thanks to your mail carrier. And what new homeowner wouldn't love to receive a gift basket full of wine and cheese as a housewarming gift?

No matter how much you are looking to spend, you'll find plenty of options to buy online. You can choose from baskets that are packed with pre-selected items, or you can get creative and build a personalized gift basket. Here's a sampling of the best gift basket websites.

Gourmet Gift Baskets - A huge selection of beautiful handmade gift baskets packed with gourmet foods and drinks. Shop by theme, price or occasion.

Gift Baskets - With with gourmet food, fruit, spa and sports-themed selections, we love Giftbaskets.com's helpful Gift Basket Ideas section.

Gifts.com - What makes this...