Keep up with the latest bestselling novels for free at your local library. Many libraries allow you to put books on hold right from their websites.

Having a birthday? Take advantage of special birthday offers from local restaurants, comedy clubs, and shops you patronize. It’s one day a year, so make the most of it!

Enjoy the holidays and have a wonderful New Year with your friends and families! I’m taking a break from daily tips until January 1st, so that I can put together some exciting new content for 2010. Here’s to your success!

Inexpensive Gift Idea: Make food gifts! Check out The Kitchn’s list of edible presents.

Give a friend a new job for the holidays. Help him rewrite his résumé and practice for interviews.

Make popcorn garlands to decorate your Christmas tree. Here’s one tutorial.

Fill a travel mug with hot cocoa, put on some holiday music, and drive through a nearby neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights.

Take an ethnic dance class, such as belly dancing, bhangra, or an African dance style. It’ll burn off some of those holiday calories!

Go for a walk through a Christmas tree lot and smell the fresh pine.

Bake up some sugar cookies and decorate them with friends. Check out my favorite recipe here.