
Nov 3 - By Ann Levin, For The Associated Press
Carl Drews still remembers the first time he heard the "Hallelujah" chorus. His parents had taken him to see "The Greatest Story Ever Told," the movie about the life of Jesus with a soundtrack including the famous chorus from Handel's "Messiah." It made the little boy feel that heaven was a place "where you sing the `Hallelujah' chorus forever and ever."
Nov 3 - By Nedra Pickler, Associated Press Writer
I'm not a Scrooge, really. I embrace almost all of Christmas. Except for one time-honored tradition that brings so much stress and expense that eliminating it has made the holiday even more magical.

Nov 3 - By Lisa A. Flam, Associated Press Writer
This gift-giving season, $25 and under is the place to be.

Nov 3 - By Stephanie Stoughton, Associated Press Writer
Early morning Dec. 26, I will stumble into the cold, hair tangled, bathrobe askew and eyes half shut. I will drag in the heavy newspaper, and over a steaming cup of coffee, begin to attack the pages with scissors.

Nov 3 - By Carole Feldman, Associated Press Writer
At O'Keefe Communications, employees will celebrate the holidays this year as they did last, with a potluck in the office rather than dinner at a nice restaurant.

Oct 1 - By Mae Anderson, AP Retail Writer
Santa's on a budget this year.

Aug 21 - By Dave Gram, Associated Press Writer
Brad Borofsky hopes a sales tax holiday this weekend will draw more buyers to his outfitters shop in search of kayaks, canoes and other high-end outdoor items. After all, who wouldn't like a break on their taxes?

Jul 3 - By Suzanne Ma, Associated Press Writer
Moneeb Hassan remembers having to choose between a final exam in American history or celebrating the Muslim holy day of Eid al-Adha. In the end, he chose both.

May 28 - By Chi-Chi Zhang, Associated Press Writer
Instead of toiling in an office cubicle as she did two years ago, Ma Yanyan is spending Thursday's Dragon Boat Festival as befits tradition: rowing in sync to a thundering drum beat with 20 teammates across a lake.
Dec 23 - By Melissa Nelson, Associated Press Writer
A Christian woman claims she was fired from her job because she greeted callers with "Merry Christmas," but the vacation rental company says it's no Scrooge and the woman is just a disgruntled employee.

Dec 19 - By Dan Strumpf, AP Auto Writer
On the morning that President George W. Bush announced a rescue for the U.S. auto industry, Robert Barber stopped by his local union hall in Kokomo, Ind., to ask where to file an unemployment claim.
Dec 17 - By Natasha T. Metzler, Associated Press Writer
Drunken driving accidents increase each year during the holiday season, and a large percentage are caused by drivers just over the legal drinking age, government officials said Wednesday.
Dec 7 - By Associated Press
Stock markets in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are closed Monday for public holidays. Trading resumes Tuesday.
Dec 5 - By The Associated Press, Only on msnbc.com
One of the advantages of getting to age 85 (there are some, honest) is that there’s no longer as much to be embarrassed about. So I am not ashamed to say that I was touched — moved to tears, in fact — by many of the responses to my first column. There were questions and tips about staying afloat in challenging times (I’ll get to some of both in a moment), but there were also an amazing number of readers who e-mailed just to thank me for evoking memories of days gone by, and to share some of their own.

Dec 4 - By Ian Kerner, Ph.D., msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Every year, right around this time, I start to turn into the grinch who stole Christmas.

Dec 3 - By Donna Cassata , Associated Press Writer
In the spirit of a tough economy, holiday decorations from Christmases past are adorning the White House this Christmas.

Nov 24 - By Dr. Gail Saltz, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
“Look everyone … I baked 25 varieties of cookies!”

Nov 18 - By Christopher Elliott, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
You can’t talk about the worst holiday travel experiences without mentioning the movie “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.”
Nov 14 - By Judy Lin, Associated Press Writer
California's generous offering of holidays for state workers — the equivalent of nearly three work weeks — is among the items Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to trim to help counter a mounting budget deficit.
Nov 11 - By Eric Gorski
You better watch out. There is a new combatant in the Christmas wars.
Aug 10 - By The Associated Press
Alabama: Aug. 1-3 — clothing, computers, school supplies, books

Aug 10 - By Juanita Cousins, Associated Press Writer
Thousands of shoppers have been flocking to malls in more than a dozen states for back-to-school sales tax holidays, buying millions of dollars worth of clothes and school supplies — and depriving states of much-needed revenue.
Apr 6 - By Lee Keath, Associated Press Writers
Zahra Saremi took a different sort of vacation this year to celebrate Iranian New Year — touring the bloody battlefields of Iran's long war with Iraq at a week-long camp dedicated to martyrdom and patriotism.

Dec 23 - By Marcus Franklin, Associated Press Writer
It's been nearly seven months since Stepha Henry disappeared during a visit to Florida with her younger sister.

Dec 22 - By Sandy Cohen, AP Entertainment Writer
Nearly two months without paychecks. Scores of shuttered shows. Thousands out of work. The Hollywood writers strike suggests a bleak Christmas for many in Tinsel Town.