For most people, the holidays are a wonderful, exciting season devoted to friends, family and festivities. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, exchanging gifts is an eagerly anticipated part of holiday celebrations. However, this same holiday tradition can also be completely nerve-racking, with crowded malls and the stress of finding the right gifts for the right people . . . on the right budget.

If we could afford it, we’d probably all like to give our loved ones everything they need or desire. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have J. Lo’s bank account to empty on expensive gifts. It’s for that very reason that Luna di Luna, one of the fastest growing wines in the United States, offers several holiday gift giving ideas that are sure to keep your pockets jing-jing-jingling.

A cleverly decorated bottle of wine makes for a great last minute gift and is easy on the wallet. With brilliant, festively colored Rudolph-red, holly-green, starlight-yellow, sugar-plum purple and frosty-blue bottled wines that retail around $10, Luna di Luna makes gift-giving easy. To add a little something extra to the presentation of your gift, place the bottle in a clear wine bag and secure with a holiday ribbon.

Whether it’s soaps and shampoos, or gourmet cheeses and sausages, gift boxes are always a good bet for that “hard to buy for” person on your list as they not only eliminate shopping hassles but also wrapping time. Luna di Luna’s red bottled Merlot/Cabernet and green bottled Pinot Bianco/Sauvignon have been twinned together in a two-bottle gift pack (around $21). While the colors of the bottles can provide enough of a presentation by themselves, the combination of these aptly seasonal bottles in a festive holly and berry motif gift box is sure to please.

Luna di Luna also offers a classy gift box for its blue bottle of Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio. Perfect for a New Year’s Eve surprise, or any celebration worth toasting, the gift box features a metallic silver and blue snowflake motif and retails for around $12. Pop open a bottle and get cozy by the fire with your sweetie. The delicious sparkling wine not only sparkles when poured, but continues to do so in the glass.

In addition to the standard 750-mL bottles, Luna di Luna wines are also available in 187-mL four-packs which make fun stocking stuffers, and 1.5-L bottles, which are perfect for holiday parties and dinners. Plus, the individual bottles make great table decorations, adding an extra touch of holiday cheer.

So this season, try to leave the credit cards at home, keep track of your spending and be sure to set aside quality time with your friends, family and loved ones. Available almost anywhere wine is sold, Luna di Luna wines and gift-packs are simple to find and will leave you with plenty of time to stand in line for the latest fad toy for the kids or surprise for your significant other. For more information about Luna di Luna wines go to www.lunadiluna.com. Happy Holidays!

Holidays are a special time for friends and family. Since pets are a part of the family too, make sure your holiday is pet friendly. Here are some helpful tips from Jill Richardson, D.V.M, one of the pet pros at Hartz, a leader in the pet products industry.

Avoid Holiday Hazards

As you get your house ready for the holidays, keep your pets in mind. There are some holiday items that could be very dangerous for your pet.

* Mistletoe or holly can be harmful if ingested by your pet. Keep these plants out of your pet’s reach.

* Lilies are often used in holiday arrangements and bouquets, but they can be very dangerous for your cat. Certain types of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, even in small amounts.

* Make your holiday decorations pet safe. Avoid glass ornaments, which can break and cut tiny paws.

* Dangling electrical cords can be enticing to curious pets, especially rabbits, kittens, and puppies. If electrical cords are chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Make sure to keep cords out of your pet’s reach.

* Keep batteries out of your pet’s reach. Batteries contain caustic material and if ingested, can cause chemical burns on the tongue, mouth, muzzle, and stomach of your pet.

Keep a Pet Friendly Kitchen

Pet owners may be tempted to give table scraps from holiday meals to their pets as a special treat. There are some types of people foods that can make pets very sick.

* Excessively rich or fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis (inflammatory disease of the pancreas) in pets.

* Chocolate can cause increased heart rate, tremors, or excitation, depending on the type and the quantity ingested.

* Ingestion of uncooked bread dough can be life-threatening. The animal’s body heat will cause the dough to rise in the stomach. Alcohol is produced during the rising process, and the dough may expand several times its original size.

* Some types of grapes and raisins have been shown to cause kidney failure in dogs when eaten in quantity. The basis for kidney failure following consumption of grapes or raisins is unclear, but this is being studied closely in the veterinary community.

* Other potentially dangerous food items for pets include moldy or spoiled foods, coffee grounds, onions, alcoholic beverages, macadamia nuts (dogs), and avocado (birds).

* Keep your pet birds safe from kitchen hazards too. Birds are extremely sensitive to any strong odor or smoke. Smoke from burning foods or overheated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated cookware can be deadly for birds.

Keep your Guests on a Leash

Have a plan for your pets when you host a holiday party. Unfamiliar guests can make some pets very nervous. If your pet does not do well with crowds and loud noise, make sure you set aside a safe and quiet haven for it to retreat to, if necessary. Make sure to bring your pet fresh water, food, toys, litter box, and pet bed so your pet can relax during the party. Toys offer a multitude of activities for pets and will help to reduce anxiety and relieve boredom.

Remember your pet or your favorite pet lover during the holidays

This year, don’t forget to be sure you have the perfect gift for your favorite pet. Remember the four “F”s: Food (rawhide, bones, natural treats), Fashion (fashionable collars or leashes), Fitness (balls, plush toys, catnip, interactive toys), and Fun (seasonally inspired toys and treats).

For animal lovers without pets of their own, consider making a donation to a local shelter or animal rescue association in their name. Helping a homeless pet is a wonderful way to celebrate friendship.