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Photo by WordRidden
OK, it might seem early to be writing about holiday gifts, but I figure if Walgreens can put up their holiday merchandise before Halloween, I can blog about holiday gifts in mid-November. Besides, there’s a reason to start thinking about gifting early - especially now, when everyone’s pockets are feeling the pinch.

I’m advocating homemade gifts this year. I would much rather get a labored-over, if inexpertly crafted, hand-knit hat or handmade mug than something generic from the mall.

Of course, not everyone knows how to knit a stockinette stitch or throw on a pottery wheel, but with a little ingenuity, anyone can craft something inspired. The trick is to get started early - you can’t wait until the last minute and expect to whip up something that you feel proud to give. To help get your creative juices flowing, I turned to Answers.

Gwen shares a multitude of ideas, including making jelly, sharing cherished photos, creating scarves out of felted sweaters, and using her garden’s bounty to make pickles and salsa for friends.

A lot of people find crocheting easier to learn than knitting, so why not learn a few basic stitches and turn out some scarves, hats, and mittens? jia even offers a YouTube link to get you started. In fact, YouTube and other specialty craft sites are great resources for easy-to-follow directions on just about anything.

Store-bought gift baskets are popular but usually over-priced and stuffed with cheap, filler items. By creating your own baskets, you can include meaningful items, and tailor each basket to the person it’s intended for. onepriviti walks us through a great tutorial using both handmade and inexpensive store-bought items to make the perfect gift.

If you feel crafts are just too far out of your comfort zone, food gifts are an easy and creative way to show your love. You could whip up peppermint bark or put together a candy wreath. And you’ll hardly go wrong with cookies, hot cocoa, or fudge.

Some of you may be afraid that giving a handmade gift is tacky or that the recipient won’t appreciate it. To me, when you give something that you have made, you are really giving a piece of yourself - something much more valuable and generous than any mall find. So get creative this holiday season. Your friends and family will appreciate the sentiment - and your wallet will appreciate the break.

What are your ideas for creative homemade holiday gifts?

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There are various ways to communicate with us and find more information about Yahoo! Answers.

What do I need to know?

The Community Guidelines and the Terms of Service (TOS) are good places to start. They contain the rules and guidelines we must all adhere to as members of the Answers community.You can find links to them at the bottom of all Yahoo! Answers pages. If you are about to post something,but are not sure if it violates the Community Guidelines, you can double-check from that handy link.

Where do I go if I want to make an appeal?

If your content has been deleted and -after reading the Community Guidelines and the TOS - you think it was a mistake, click the “appeal” link that appears in the notification email and explain why the content should not have been taken down. We’ll be happy to review it!

What if I don’t know how to do something?

We have created the Help pages for that reason. You can find information about how to use Answers and its various features. Just browse the categories to find what you’re looking for.

If you cannot find an answer to your question in Help, go to the Forum  or to the Yahoo! Answers category. This category was especially created for you to ask the community about things you don’t know how to do. The community is always happy to help, and the most experienced members are eager to share their knowledge.

How can I be the first to know about what’s happening on Answers?

The blog is your place. You’ll find the latest news, tips, and other interesting topics from the Answers community. Subscribe via the RSS feed and never miss another post.

How do I provide feedback?

There are a few avenues: Post a comment to the blog, go to the Forum, or make a suggestion on the form linked from the “Tell us what you think” link at the bottom of each page. We will be happy to review your ideas for improving Answers!

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Hey Guys,

Late last week, I asked the Yahoo! Answers community if “happy songs” improve their moods. Most of the responders wrote that, heck yeah, songs definitely help in getting them out of a funk. The real question is “why.” Is there a scientific connection behind music and mood?

I did some searches and discovered a 2003 article from WebMD. According to studies at Penn State University, all kinds of music improve moods. It doesn’t matter if you’re listening to rock and roll, classical, or (gasp) Celine Dion–any type of tune helped those in the study feel more “optimistic, joyful, friendly, relaxed, and calm.”

And it’s not just a person’s mood that music can affect. U.S. News and World Report writes that some neurologists prescribe music for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. One neurologist says that, “‘music therapy can help restore the loss of expressive language in patients with aphasia following brain injury from stroke.” Apparently, “music can trigger the release of mood-altering brain chemicals and once-lost memories and emotions.”

The Harvard University Gazette hosts a nice (and surprisingly understandable) article on how the human brain perceives music. One small nugget of information that you can drop at your next cocktail party: As people play and listen to music, different areas of the brain receive increased blood flow and oxygen. According to Professor Daniel Levitin, “music activates the same parts of the brain and causes the same neurochemical cocktail as a lot of other pleasurable activities.

But for all the good music can do, it can sometimes drive humans nuts. Ask Yahoo! tackled a related question a few years back when it answered why certain songs get stuck in your head. Repetition seems to be the main reason. “The more you hear one chorus, beat, or whatever, the more likely it will burrow into your subconscious.” And, unfortunately, 97-99% of people are susceptible. The cure? Listen to another song (preferably something not by Los Del Rio).

Thanks for reading,

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