Tips for Giving Great Gifts, Every Time

One of the most joyful parts of the holidays is sharing and celebrating with an exchange of thoughtful gifts. One of the most stressful parts of the holidays, however, is finding all of those thoughtful gifts. Here are some strategies for choosing great gifts without wearing yourself out in the process.

Check Websites for Wish Lists

Amazon.com offers a great “universal wish list” feature, which allows users to add items not just from Amazon, but from any site on the web. If you’d like to see if your gift recipient has created one, go to this page and enter his or her email address. Another site, Etsy.com, also offers tools to help you find your friends via Facebook and email on their site, giving you access their “Favorites” for gift ideas.

Make a Basket of Memories

If it’s an old friend you’re purchasing for, rather than focusing on a price point for your gift, try thinking of some of the memories that you and the recipient share. Road trips, inside jokes, favorite restaurants or food – all of these are great things that can trigger happy memories and laughter. Simply collect some of those things (or small trinkets to act as reminders) and put them together in a gift box or basket.

Strengthen New Friendships

The holidays offer a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships – that is, if you give the gift of an activity you’re going to do together. Are you giving a gift to someone who is new to the neighborhood? Offer to take him or her out to dinner at a place they haven’t tried yet. Are you the new person? Gift a little piece of home, in the form of something from the city you are from (or if it’s within driving distance, offer to take your friend out there for an evening). Use the gift-giving season as an opportunity to get to know new friends better, and by next year, you’ll feel like you’ve known each other forever.

Think Differently About Giving

If none of the first three options will work for you, and you’re still stumped, it’s always a great option to turn the gift-giving season into a time to help someone in need. There are a variety of charities out there that have great options for giftable giving. First Book is perfect for a friend who loves to read or write. A gift to the Animal Humane Society is ideal for animal lovers – or look for a rescue organization that matches his or her favorite dog breed. Is your friend a dreamer or entrepreneur? He or she would certainly be inspired by the stories at Kiva.org. They offer gift cards to help you introduce Kiva to friends, making it easy to start giving microloans to others around the world.  

Go for a Gift Card

Finally, there is one standby gift that is great for every person, every time: The gift card. Almost every restaurant and shop in existence today offers gift cards – and for those that don’t, there are cards that work like cash from Visa, American Express, various banks and more. Massage Envy, of course, offers gift cards in a variety of price ranges. Memberships also make a fantastic gift, and one that literally lasts for months. It’s a great way to show your appreciation for someone again and again!

(photo by nuchylee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)