giftguide

It’s almost here–the time of year when sleigh bells jingle, fires crackle, and tinsel becomes scarcer than a bug-free copy of Windows 2000. But if the dread of long checkout lines and an empty bank account has you feeling less than cheerful this holiday season, Macworld can help.

We’ll show you how to avoid the crowds with five fun holiday projects you can make at home. And so your creations don’t resemble the lopsided clay angels you gave your mother when you were eight, we’ve included loads of tips and techniques to ensure perfect results.

But in case you do feel like braving the malls (online or off), we searched through hundreds of products and found seven gift ideas sure to please every Mac user on your shopping list. So stop fretting, pour yourself a nice big cup of hot chocolate, and settle back with Macworld ‘s fourth annual Holiday Gift Guide.

Make a Great Gift

Seasonal Table Settings

Now Playing

Creative Containers

Picture-Perfect Presents

Holiday Cards That Pop

Batteries Not Included: Web Resources for High-Tech Art Supplies

For additional holiday project ideas, check out last year’s Macworld Holiday Gift Guide, Crafty Creations .

Buy a Great Gift

Gift Pack

Take a look at our reviews for other gift ideas: USB Flatbed Scanners Affordable Digital Cameras Photo-Quality Printers Image Editors

For the Commuter Aiwa HP-CN5 noise-canceling headphones

For the Lover of Adorable Space Aliens Kritter USB Web cam

For the Audiophile Harman Kardon SoundSticks

For Grown-Ups Apple Pro Mouse

For the Data Pack Rat CD Revo Cyclone CD-RW Drive for USB

For the Animal Lover Mouse House

For the Art Collector Art Explosion

For the Arcade Addict Angel Egg and Golden Logres

For the Neatnik iKlear Apple Polish

For the Security Conscious Password Journal and Translucent Paper Shredder

Photography by Scott Peterson.