Sam's demon conquered, now for the quarters

Proving she's no one-tournament wonder, the Australian could move into the world's top 20, writes Will Swanton.

Flora For The Festive Season

Decorating the yard for the holidays can be practical and cheap.

Home Style

Whether you're looking for cheap and cheerful Christmas gifts or cool Kris Kringle ideas, there are plenty of great products out there for less than $10.

Family First This Christmas Staying Together Key To Cheap Holiday Fun

KEEPING your little angels entertained this Christmas holidays does not have to cost heaven and earth.

Give Some Knowledge As A Present

Books are cheap Christmas gifts, but they might save the recipients thousands.

Consuming With A Conscience

When shopping, how can you be sure that you're not supporting practices that you don't like, such as animal testing or cheap labour? Miranda Ramsay looks at the ethics of consuming.

We Are Fabulous

God's gifts to fashion are abroad in Melbourne, reports Janice Breen Burns.

Thai Pad As Cheap As Pad Thai

Kristie Kellahan discovers a Chiang Mai inn of amazing value.

A Flush American Bearing Gifts

For John Howard, Alan Greenspan is the gift that just keeps giving.

Why Loyalty Has Become A Mug's Game

THE TRAVELLER returned from the UK bearing gifts. The traditional hastily bought duty free perfume for the Loved One and a far more thoughtfully considered item for the Soccer Nut - the spanking new season replica Newcastle United shirt.

Firm Offers: Gifts To Keep Staff

COMPANIES are offering young employees cars for their spouses, nine-day fortnights, cheap movie tickets and salary-sacrificed iPods to hold onto them.

$10 A Head, Kirribilli Views Thrown In

JOHN Howard might have been wishing he had never offered that hour of cheap Kirribilli hospitality to federal Liberal council delegates and business observers as Kevin Rudd raised the spectre of breaches of the law and the ministerial code of conduct.

It's A Moveable Feast Of Rsvp Ping-pong

EMAIL has given us many gifts. Never before have cheap penis enlargements been so readily available to so many. Never before has it been so effortless to send long-winded and rambling accounts of holiday experiences to a dozen uninterested friends. Never before has it been such a breeze to forward lame jokes about men leaving the toilet seat up to family members.

Dismal Fare

HARRY'S CHRISTMAS Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo. Until January 14. Tickets $27/$19. Cheap Tuesdays $16. Bookings 9294 4296. Critic's rating: 4/10

Gifts Worth Giving

Bake it, brush it, bag it or, for the blokes, brand it with these ideas for the smart shopper.

This Toy Story Is Too Serious

THE detection of 76 unsafe toys in shops across the state is of particular concern at this time of the year.

Kitchen

Hub of the home, new tool shed for the metrosexual; whatever your take on the modern kitchen, it's a source of almost unlimited inspiration when it comes to gifts for someone who loves food and cooking.

Philanthropy Of The Few Lets The Rich Off The Hook

Of all the reasons why we should be kind to the rich, that they might bestow gifts upon us must be one of the poorest. Denis Tracey's somewhat obsequious defence of Rodney Adler et al (Opinion, 26/5) openly endorses the real reason why philanthropy shouldn't be especially praised. Those few among

In The End, Handshakes Are Gifts From Shareholders

POOR Stanley Wallis just can't win. Having momentarily accepted the $1.6 million in retirement benefits, he succeeded in making the shareholders of AMP quite livid. Now, having decided it is inappropriate to take the money, he's on the nose with the captains of industry who don't want ugly precedents disturbing the retirement landscape.

Mps To Lose Flyer Points After Deal On Cheap Fares

The stash of frequent flyer points federal politicians take with them when they retire will be a thing of the past within weeks.