Whether you’ve had your Christmas shopping sorted for months or you’re still deciding who in your family will be hosting the typical NZ Christmas dinner this year, NZS.com has you covered with a whole host of great Christmas ideas and tips to help you save money at Christmas and make the most of the holiday season.

The Christmas holidays may still be some weeks away, but office Christmas parties are already in full swing, which may mean participating in a little “secret Santa” shopping at the last minute.

If hitting the mall and finding some great Christmas gifts and the best toys for Christmas is your next priority, consider doing some of your shopping online to reduce your stress and help you avoid impulse purchases.

As for the silly season and Christmas Day traditions, why not get in to the spirit of things by sending out real Christmas cards (not emails), or by baking up a storm with some delicious Christmas recipes? And if you’ll be celebrating a Christian Christmas with the family this year, you could even get together with members of your church to sing some traditional Christmas carols at a local rest home to spread some holiday cheer.

Of course, the Twelve Days of Christmas doesn’t start for another couple of weeks so you’ve still got a little time up your sleeve to hang your Christmas pictures and sort your Christmas trees and decorations.

Good luck with your NZ Christmas planning! Be sure to keep checking NZS.com as more Christmas articles, hints and planning ideas are added over the following weeks.

Audio visual and entertainment technologies have come along way – particularly with the development of HDMI cables which reduce consumer confusion with their standardised connections.

Forget the once-common nightmare of hundreds of cords connecting your audio visual and home theatre. With HDMI you can easily connect televisions, audio visual, Blu-ray disc players, multimedia PCs, gaming systems, digital camcorders, and more.

To find out if your audio visual equipment is HDMI compatible or if you have any questions be sure to get in touch with your local home theatre distributor.

Birthdays, engagements, weddings and housewarmings are just some of the occasions that pop up throughout the year, calling for a unique gift that some thought has gone into.

No-one wants to give the same old cliché presents when there is such a great selection of NZ gifts available, so let your imagination run wild, embrace the creativity of NZ design, and give gifts you know your family and friends will love.

From New Zealand jewellery to eco-friendly, ‘upcycled’ bags and artworks, NZ gifts proudly tap into the Kiwi spirit of creativity and innovation.

Why give a boring old voucher when you can give unique, locally –inspired NZ gifts?

The latest featured sites showcasing New Zealand businesses on NZS.com are a must view for home owners, businesses and anyone wanting to indulge this week.

Home owners, read about DIY tiling options with Tiles Online, kitset homes from e-Homes, home renovation with Fix It Building Services, investment options with Vault Property Group, and home loan options with Squirrel.

Business owners looking to update their signage and promotional material may like to check out solutions from Sabre Signs, while anyone who is looking for a little luxury can indulge in designer jewellery from Jeni B, delicious Macadamia nuts from Nuts About New Zealand, and the ultimate in relaxation with Polynesian Spa.

Savvy business owners to recently claim their websites and make the most of their Site Profile by adding contact details, links and marketing descriptions include Red Creative Event Styling and Consultancy and Go Deep Scuba.

Claim your website and add your business details with Website Resources on NZS.com.

The latest featured sites showcasing New Zealand businesses include designer streetwear from 21 Grams, medical insurance brokers Medical Direct, Neuservice plumbing, and sexual health supplement providers Herbal Ignite.

Recent businesses to claim their websites and make the most of their Site Profile by adding contact details, links and marketing descriptions include Brightspark Consulting and Perfect Venue.

To claim your own website and add your business details visit the Website Resources section.

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And with so many ways to accept credit card payments via your website, how can you ensure you’re getting a fair deal?

Choosing a payment gateway that’s right for you and your business can make or break your e-commerce venture. One of the main traps to avoid is getting locked in to excessive fees, so think about the long term costs and do your research to decide which payment gateway is going to be most cost effective and beneficial for your business over time.

Payment gateways can open up a whole new world of potential clients and customers, but choosing the right payment gateway from the get-go will ensure you see real returns

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Vantage Point psp Looking for Auckland florists or a florist online to help you brighten up someone’s day?

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse full Winter may mean the blooms in your garden are in hibernation mode until Spring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil friends and family with delightful bouquets of fresh New Zealand flowers.

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And to save you a trip out into the cold, why not look for a florist online to help you select or create the perfect bunch?

Offering the finest, freshest quality flowers and the convenience of ordering with the click of your mouse, online florists make it easier than ever to spoil your loved ones with gorgeous flowers.

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There are a number of fabulously creative New Zealand florists now offering their expertise and services online and delivering nationwide and internationally, so jump on your laptop and start searching.

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To find a florist online check out the NZS.com directory.

and cut costs.

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Now that New Zealanders have the option to compare electricity prices online, reducing your power bill has never been easier.

Forget donning several layers to keep warm around the house if you’re conscious of your budget, because you can now choose the cheapest power products and options at the click of your mouse.

By being able to compare electricity prices and suppliers online, households can now reduce their power bills without having to cut down on winter essentials like the heating.

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Just like browsing the ‘specials’ aisle in the supermarket, shopping around for electricity online

means consumers now have the power to select the most cost effective options, shop for electricity specials, and purchase products that spread their bill payments out over time, so your power bill doesn’t skyrocket over winter.

To learn more about comparing electricity prices online check out the NZS.com directory.

Usually, it’s best to find a good median point. Three months before you start to travel, start to keep an eye out on deals. They’re a dime a dozen these days, so make sure you get e-mail alerts and keep your preferred travel websites in your favourites. This will ensure you always know about the deals as they arise – and have the greatest chance of snapping them up.

Choose early morning or late evening flight bookings and you’ll save even more, and don’t forget the option of travelling with one airline to your destination, and another airline on the way back. Saving your hard earned cash and jetting off on holiday is still doable when you know all the tricks!

Image from Flickr.

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Luckily, our little country has many emerging New Zealand designers of homeware and giftware which are fun, funky, and of international quality and innovation, but at down to earth prices. There are some great NZ design The Dark Knight ipod It’s a Wonderful Life release websites out there offering these products online, some of the hottest designers including F3, Cina, Ataahua and Kinoo. For the best objects of desire for the home for yourself or someone you love, buy NZ design gifts Fired Up movie She’s the Man full The ‘burbs download

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online and get them shipped straight to your door.