holiday shopping

It's stressful enough when your kids' holiday wish is filled with high-tech gadgets that aren't in your budget. What's worse is breaking down and buying them at the last minute because you couldn't think of better alternatives in your price range.

U.S. shoppers spent 15 percent more in online holiday buying compared to last year, after what may have been the busiest week of the season, said research firm comScore on Sunday. Shoppers have spent $30.9 billion online from Nov. 1 through Dec. 16, up from $26.9 billion at the same point last year, said the Reston, Va., company, which tracks Web use.

Today is Free Shipping Day, when nearly 2,000 merchants offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve in the continental United States. Some are even sweetening the deal with one-day savings offers. DailyFinance has an early preview of retailers' top offers, as well as some extra tips to help you plot your shipping strategy for the remainder of the holiday season.

Buy Nothing Christmas and groups like it are on a mission to recast the holidays so that they're richer in meaning, smaller in environmental impact and greater in giving to people less privileged. They also aim to expose the downside of an economy largely reliant on consumer purchases. It's an idea whose time has come.

With the final Christmas countdown begun, the National Retail Federation has upgraded its holiday sales forecast, reflecting growing optimism that much more spending is to come. The NRF now expects holiday sales to rise 3.8% to a record $469.1 billion. That's up from its more modest 2.8 percent forecast made in early October, though it's hardly stellar.

When Emily Russell's sons wake up on Christmas morning, they'll find that Santa left them a note instead of the videogames they requested. Some people have always postponed Christmas celebrations because their jobs don't pause for the holiday. But in the weak economy, folks are delaying Christmas for another reason: money.

In a bid to give shoppers more time to scoop up holiday gifts while dangling the carrot of shorter lines and fewer crowds, Macy's is bringing back its 24-hour stores for three all-nighters.

Amazon's holidays are off to a great start, but with its stock trading north of 100 times earnings, AMZN shares could be the one thing you don't want to buy from the online retailer. Instead, consider these companies that are riding on the coattails of the online shopping boom.

Thin is in this season -- flat-screen televisions are shaping up to be among the hottest holiday gifts. Prices are at unheard-of lows, and supply is still ahead of demand, but there's another reason for their current popularity.

In a one-day ploy to get consumers in the holiday shopping spirit, on Dec. 10, Amazon.com, will reward shoppers who use its Price Check mobile app with a 5% discount (of up to $5) on three qualifying products.