7 Savvy Tasks to Do in December

Avoid having to pull last-minute crafting sessions by starting to prepare your homemade gifts now. Check out our list of over 100 of the best DIY homemade gift ideas. You'll do a better job making presents for hostesses and others if they're not done in a rush, and you're less likely to buy something out of budget when you've already made progress on homemade gifts.

Donate to your favorite nonprofit before the end of the year so you can claim your contributions as a 2014 tax deduction and help lower your tax bill. Make sure the charity is a qualified organization and you can look it up on the IRS website.