If there's a season to save, this is it. With the kids needing new clothes and supplies for school, and the holidays approaching, the coming months can be one of the costliest shopping times for families.

Legend has it that Santa Claus spends the whole year prepping for his big night. While you don't have to go to that extreme, you can still enjoy the benefits of planning for the holidays a few months in advance. Don't let waiting until the last minute interfere with your Christmas fun this year. Here are three areas where you can get a jump-start on the holiday.

The hot days of summer and even early fall can leave you parched for a refreshing drink. By cold brewing tea leaves, the resulting drink not only can quench thirst and eliminate grease from your system, but also retains the caffeine and tannic acid found in the tea leaves.

As fall arrives, our world changes to a place decorated with vibrant colors and filled with the tastes and abundance of the harvest. And as the season changes, it's only natural that we crave some changes of our own. Whether you want to update your wardrobe with some new looks for the cooler weather, or warm up your home with some stylish new decor, it's good to know that you can make changes without breaking the bank.

Summer is almost here. Or hadn't you noticed? While you're a kid, or a student, the summer is impossible to miss: It's that big, wonderful block of time that doesn't involve homework or studying. Once you're out in the working world, though, the weeks all start to look very much the same and two month vacations are a thing of the past. You might even be tempted to ignore the rising temperatures out of a sense of sour grapes: Why have a summer at all, if summer is just like spring for at least 17 hours out of 24? Seize the season.

Sure, summer is suited to barbecues, picnics and all sorts of al fresco fun. But indoor entertaining has appeal during the warmer months as well. When temperatures turn too sultry to sit outside, or you just crave a more elegantly prepared meal shared with good friends and no mosquitoes, you'll be grateful for your kitchen and indoor entertainment spaces.

Most days, you probably want visitors to feel welcome and secure in your home. But one day a year, it's fun to scare the dickens out of them - so make the most of Halloween and all the good-natured frights that come along with the spookiest of holidays.

The holidays are joyous times but stressful too. There is so much to do in preparation that often it's easy to get caught up in the hoopla and miss out on the opportunity to actually enjoy friends and family and all that the holiday season brings. Here are tips for being proactive so that you can actually avoid the stress and enjoy the holiday season this year.

Home renovation and building go on year-round, but as with any design statement, each season brings new looks and trends. This autumn's trends share a flare for boldness and innovation. Here are the hot trends to watch in ceramic tile this season.

Autumn's approach means plenty of time outdoors prepping your landscape for winter's impending arrival, or partaking in seasonal fun like pumpkin carving or cookie baking. Hand injuries may be the last thing on your mind during this busy, happy season, but experts caution that many fall activities require repetitive motions that may lead to injury, or irritate existing conditions. You can take steps to prevent repetitive motion injuries.