HolidayGiving

At Kmart stores across the country, Santa seems to be getting some help: Anonymous donors are paying off strangers' layaway accounts, buying the Christmas gifts other families couldn't afford, especially toys and children's clothes set aside by impoverished parents.

For over a century, the Salvation Army's red kettles have reminded holiday shoppers not to forget charity during the season of giving. But this year, you don't need cash on hand to give, because there's something new in the kettle: a card reader and a mobile donation app.

Frazzled parents. Check. Impossible to do list. Check. Not enough time or money to go around. Check and double check. Happy holidays. In spite of the season's non-stop soundtrack of peace and love, goodwill towards all, sometimes it's easy to overlook the spirit of the holidays and feel more humbug...

For most people, the holidays are a time of gifts, fun, and family. But to Wharton economist Joel Waldfogel, the holidays are celebrated with an "orgy of value destruction." In his new book Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays, Dr. Waldfogel explains why gift giving is...

Like many kind-hearted Americans who intend to keep on being charitable despite the recession, I'm wondering how I can swing it despite a lack of cash to give. For the cash-poor among us, there's a batch of recent suggestions floating around online. If you've got other assets in your portfolio to...