HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS. Postal Store staffers are stuffing stocking stuffers into stores for gift-giving this holiday season. Stamps make inexpensive and practical gifts. People of all ages and interests can find appealing themes among the wide array of stamp offerings.

Instead of a gift certificate or a personal check, why not consider a USPS money order for those hard-to-shop-for friends and relatives? They're available in any amount up to $1,000, and the service charge is just 90 cents for values up to $500, or $1.25 over $500 up to $1,000. Best of all, they're safe, secure and backed by USPS.

For college students or other long-distance friends and relatives, you can pick up the tab — in advance — for their long-distance phone calls with a prepaid USPS FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD. For younger kids — or the young at heart — USPS has teamed up with DreamWorks to offer special movie-themed postcards and stickers with the purchase of a DVD or video of SPIRIT: Stallion of the Cimarron.

Even the busiest holiday shoppers can't find excuses when they can go online and shop the Postal Store at www.usps.com. It's a fast and efficient way to purchase stamps and collectibles.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE. 'Tis the season to be careful. People tend to be in a more giving mood during the holiday season, but the Postal Inspection Service warns that swindlers are aware of the generous mood, too. "So among the solicitations you receive this year from legitimate charities, expect to find some that are misrepresentations, or outright fraud," says Chief Postal Inspector Lee Heath.

To guard against falling prey to a phony charity, Heath offers some suggestions. If a charity is asking for donations and you're not familiar with them, check them out by contacting the Better Business Bureau, or ask for their annual reports and financial statements. Always make checks payable to an organization, not an individual. And be suspicious about any request for cash donations only.

Individuals who wish to check further into the background of charitable organizations may also contact the Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org. To learn more, or to report fraud online, visit the Inspection Service at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.