Christmas

Finally, the holidays are here and you've had a chance to relax and reboot. But as you begin to unwind on Christmas vacation, and enjoy yourself, you may find yourself asking: Have I been happy at work this year? What other job could I be doing that would be more fulfilling -- monetarily and spiritually? ...

By Jennifer Liberto This could be Karen Duckett's worst New Year, ever. Duckett, 51, of Laurel, Md., is among 2.1 million jobless Americans whose unemployment benefits will end on Dec. 29, if Congress doesn't act. ...

They show up each year in malls and department stores like clockwork, seemingly eager to hear every child's Christmas wish list and pose, broadly smiling for photos. And, of course, there's that unmistakably hearty "Ho, ho, ho!" that signals that the holiday season -- and Santa Claus, himself -- has ...

Most experts preach the importance of taking a vacation. And there are plenty of studies showing it's good for your health, productivity and creativity. But in America, most of us are limited to two weeks paid vacation. And most of us don't take even that in large part because we fear for our jobs, according ...

For many weary out-of-work Americans, the upcoming holiday season brings the potential for much-needed seasonal jobs. Employment-services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas forecasts retail payrolls to increase by 700,000 during the final three months of 2012, up from the 660,200 seasonal jobs added ...

By Martin Crutsinger WASHINGTON -- Americans' income rose in December by the most in nine months, a hopeful sign for the economy after a year of weak wage gains. But consumers didn't spend any more than they had in November. Instead, they ended up saving all their additional income. Economists noted that ...

By Tony Morrison It's that time of year again. The mall is mobbed, the egg nog milkshake is back at Jack-in-the-Box, and millions of children around the planet are patiently awaiting the arrival of that big man in red. No matter what you celebrate, you know that Santa Claus is coming to town in a big way ...

By Tony Morrison Don't panic. The last shopping weekend before Hanukkah and Christmas may have come and gone, but it's not too late to snatch up some last-minute presents for the job seeker in your life. Sometimes, finding that right gift can be a real struggle. However, there are plenty of options out ...

Thanksgiving's whizzed by and the holidays are in full-swing. Regardless of the name of the holiday you celebrate, it's hard to ignore the snowmen on your block, holiday music blaring out of every store, and the general good will and joyful spirit will that tends to surface this time of year. As a job ...

By Robert Half International Frosty the Snowman isn't the only character coming your way this holiday season. In fact, the annual arrival of mistletoe, garland and gingerbread cookies can transform a normally rational and well-mannered employee into another person entirely. Here are some memorable ...

By Elise Oras For many people, the Christmas season truly is the most wonderful time of the year. From the twinkle of lights and sparkle of tinsel, to exchanging gifts and spending time with loved ones, it's easy to get caught up in the magic. But, the magic of Christmas does not just happen on its own. ...

By Heather Huhman Many people believe job searching between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve is unadvisable, but this is a huge misinterpretation! This is a great time for job seekers because companies don't just stop working during the holiday season. Plus, it puts you at an advantage among other job ...

Improved retail sales show that Americans are willing to spend this holiday season, despite the sluggish economy. Shoppers on Black Friday spent on average of $399, 10 percent more than last year, while online sales on Cyber Monday surged by a third. The holiday shopping spree not only bodes well for ...

Each year the nation's retailers hang out the "Help Wanted" sign in anticipation of a pick up in sales driven by holiday purchases. Despite the languid recovery, this year is no exception. In October, considered the first month for holiday hiring, retailers added 141,500 jobs -- nearly on par with the number ...

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is typically the busiest shopping day of the holiday season -- at least at the mall. Online merchants, on the other hand, herald the arrival of Cyber Monday -- the Monday following Thanksgiving, when consumers swarm the Internet to find once-a-year deals with a few ...

The U.S. economy may be in the doldrums, but FedEx is expecting an upbeat holiday season this year thanks to an increase in the number of consumers shopping online. Compared to last year, the world's largest express delivery company said it anticipates a 12 percent rise in the number of packages it will ...

With December's holidays right around the corner, many Americans' minds are on shopping. A new poll finds, however, that a significant number of them will be taking on second jobs to help with holiday purchases because of the tough economy. More than a fifth of adults -- 21 percent -- said they plan to get a ...

Kohl's plans to hire more than 40,000 seasonal workers in anticipation of the holiday shopping season, the Wisconsin-based retail chain said Tuesday. In a statement, the company said its plans mirror those of last year, when Kohl's hired an average of 35 employees for each of its department stores. The ...

Jobless workers who had hoped the coming holiday selling season might result in at least some temporary employment may find little to be merry about. The latest forecast from Challenger, Gray & Christmas shows that seasonal hiring will be no better than it was last year, the Chicago-based employment ...

You see them at malls great and small; gents dressed as the merry elf from the North Pole. There they sit in their jolly red finery attentively noting every Christmas wish while smiling for photos. But what's it like from behind the beard? It should surprise no one that Santa is big business, and as in any ...