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4.0 PRACTICAL CHRISTMAS PRESENTS; CUT AND REDUCE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EXPENSES.

It just makes good sense to give and receive something sensible for Christmas. We tend to think of gift giving as different from other spending, but most families spend close to a thousand dollars on Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries. Why not give something that will really do some good?

So here are my suggestions for useful Christmas presents. Most are available at major discount department stores such as Wall-Mart and Kmart or online.

== A crock pot ($10-$30)

These slow cooking devices can make delicious meals with minimal preparation. The trick, of course, is to turn them on in the morning and let them cook all day. Or turn them on at night and then reheat the next day. Stews and soups often taste better the second day.

They work especially well with beans or stew beef. Inexpensive cuts of meat will be tender after simmering for eight hours. Combine a crock pot meal with fresh bread from a bread machine (below) and you've got time saving, healthy, fresh and inexpensive meals. Enjoy!

== A bread machine ($90-$150)

These machines work. We bought ours ten years ago. They may take a little time to learn, but then require only a few minutes. Not only are you saving money on quality bread, but you're getting it piping hot and fresh.

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