Choosing a Gift-Present for a Person you don't know Well

It seems like everyone wants to exchange gifts this time of year. It’s a fun, thoughtful tradition most people enjoy participating in. Drawing names is a popular way to fairly decide who buys for whom. So, what do you do if you draw someone you don’t know well? I think we can all agree that choosing a gift for your second cousin twice removed would definitely be a challenge. A little thought, planning, and humor will keep the Grinch away, I promise.

First of all, suggest to the person organizing the exchange that having everyone involved should write down sizes, favorite colors, and needs. That would help avoid any inappropriate gifts. If the exchange isn’t a group event, be thoughtful and call the person you are buying for. Either ask directly what would be good for them or hopefully the conversation sheds some light on their interests.

Think of anything you may already know of the person. Try to remember any information you may have heard from mutual family or friends. Those conversations could be critical for picking a well-received gift. For example, a bird lover would probably love new binoculars or a recently published book on birds in their region.

Christmas has the advantage of being the present itself. Ornaments, cookie cutters, or a well-constructed gift wrap box already stocked would be welcome by most people this time of year. Another unique idea is to give gift cards or buy tickets for a seasonal event in the area. Most communities have events that are scheduled specifically around Christmas. Plays, symphonies, and outdoor activities are a fun way to add a new holiday tradition and I bet it’s a gift they have never been given before.

If the person you need to buy for has a family or significant other, the gift basket idea could be just the thing. One suggestion to consider is the movie theme. Get a nice basket or decorative box and fill it with microwave popcorn, theater style candy, and a six-pack of soft drinks. Since we’re talking about someone you don’t know well, add a $20.00 gift card to a media store so they can pick out the movie of their choice. Now you’ve just given someone a much-deserved night in. Thinking along the same lines, pick out a pretty basket and put wine glasses, a bottle of wine, some fine cheeses, and fancy crackers in it. Complete the gift with a small banner in the basket saying something like “Happy New Year” or “Welcome 2006!” It will be useful very soon and some of the planning for that big night is already done.

My sister is absolutely the best gift-giver I know. When I ask how she does it, her answer is always the same. She chooses things that the person would never buy for themselves. So, if you’re looking for a great gift for a busy mom, go ahead and grab that beautiful scarf she would never even see while chasing her kids. Maybe the man you are shopping for is an overworked dad. He may enjoy a magazine subscription to a male oriented publication. No, I’m not talking about the naughty ones. Family Handyman would be an excellent choice. Remember; pick out something thoughtful they wouldn’t think of themselves.

I know it’s corny and I hate doing this myself, but if you are truly lost on the right gift idea, gift cards are the ticket. It is impersonal and seems as if you didn’t spend any time thinking about your gift, but it’s better than completely missing the mark. Honestly, many people do appreciate them because it’s always the right size and exchanges and returns aren’t a problem. So go ahead and get a card for the local mall, movie theater, bookstore, or restaurant. Look at it this way; at least you didn’t buy a tie.

Sometimes picking out presents for people you know well can be difficult. It becomes almost impossible when the person is unfamiliar to you. Especially this time of the year, everyone is busy and everyone else knows how hard it is to get it all done. Odds are good they are going to cut you some slack. Do your best and maybe take the time to get to know them this coming year.

Choosing Office Christmas Presents for your Colleagues

The smell of evergreen, dreaming of a white Christmas, getting ready for Santa, all are things that bring out the best of the season. You’re excited, the kids are ready and, for once, everything is done ahead of schedule. Merry Christmas to you! Then, your boss or some other equally well-meaning soul comes up with the idea to exchange gifts at work. Just when you have it all together a wrench gets thrown in the works. Never fear. With any luck, one of these ideas will turn out to be just what Santa ordered.

If the person you need to buy for is of the feminine persuasion, this may work for you. I don’t know of a woman who doesn’t enjoy receiving flowers. Especially if the lady is single or if her man isn’t Don Juan, she may appreciate a small arrangement. Florists do amazing things this time of year in coffee cups or small vases. Have it delivered on the day of the exchange or pick it up to present it personally. I don’t suggest this one for a male colleague; you don’t want angry phone calls from his wife.

If you happen to be a holiday baker, this could be your ticket. Find a pretty, seasonal tin or basket and fill it with an assortment of all the goodies you already have made. A thoughtful card to your co-worker and their family with a keepsake ornament would round out the gift nicely. On the upside, the cookie tin idea works for either sex. Men definitely enjoy an edible gift. Watch your husband the next time you take fresh cookies from the oven; see what I mean?

This suggestion is especially helpful if the ghost of Christmas future is on your side. Hopefully, the name drawing occurs with enough time to truly think about what you want to give. If that is the case, pay attention to the person you will be buying for. What do they talk about on break? Do they have children? Maybe they are a Nascar fan or into the theatre or symphony. Once you notice something they are interested in a whole new world of possibility opens up. Opera glasses for the theatre and symphony buff or a poster of their favorite driver with a book on nascar for the racing fan. Going along with the secret Santa idea, there is probably a list somewhere with gift ideas directly from the person.

It’s kind of a cop out, but gift cards are a great idea if you’re really lost. With the price of a movie now it can be an expensive treat. Get one for the amount decided on at work; that way your co-worker can use any extra at the concession stand. You can always choose to give a restaurant gift card as well. Every one needs a break during the busy holidays and an easy meal out may be just what your teammate needs.

Maybe your gift recipient has a need at work that you can help with; like a new mouse pad or her/his favorite kind of pen. Most workplaces provide those items, but it might be fun to have something more personal to get them through the day. Find an inexpensive wire in basket and fill it with a stress ball, granola bars, and small picture frames, or anything you think the person will enjoy to make life at work more pleasant.

I know in my area of the world college sports, especially basketball has a huge following. T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, or even tree ornaments have college logos. Try one of those for the sports fan. Just make sure you get the right team. People can be picky about their favorite team.

Above all else, remember it’s the season of giving and do your best to pick an appropriate gift. The recipient will appreciate the thought even if you miss the mark. Of course, it’s important to realize that whoever has your name is just as clueless. Talk about your interests and favorite things to do and maybe you can avoid the bath products and candles.

Baby Gifts: How to Make Yours the One They Remember

by Stephanie Gallagher Editor, The Shopping Mom's Guide to Baby Gifts

Why do some baby gifts stand out from the crowd and others seem to get lost in the recipient's memory, never to be found again?

Surprisingly, it has little to do with cost of the baby gifts. Rather, it's the little, thoughtful touches that make all the difference.

Some tips:

Add an Element of Humor
You don't have to spend a lot of money to give baby gifts that are memorable. Try putting together your own "Nursing Survival Kit," with breast pads, Lansinoh cream, frozen peas (to ease nursing soreness), and a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Put Together a Creative Baby Gift Basket
Create a "Sleep Like a Baby" baby gift basket with a soft baby blanket or lovey, a white noise CD (vacuum sounds are great!) and a Miracle Blanket (for easy swaddling).

Or transform a simple baby book into a "Remembering the Moment" baby gift basket, by adding a copy of the local newspaper from the day the baby was born, copies of Time and People magazines from the week the baby was born, a current postage stamp, and a sales flyer from the local grocery store.

Twenty years from now, the parents and grown child will have fun looking back at everything from the price of a dozen eggs to who the hot celebrities were back when junior was a baby.

(For more clever baby gift basket ideas, check out "The Baby Gift Basket: How to Choose One That's Guaranteed to Wow Them.")

Include Everything the New Parents Will Need to Make It Work
Nobody likes extra work. So do whatever you can do to make it easy for the new parents to enjoy your baby gift. For example, if your present requires batteries, include a small package of batteries (the correct type, of course,) with it. You don't even need to give the whole pack -- just the right amount for the item you've given. You'd be amazed how grateful the new parents will be.

Put it Together For Them
The best baby gifts for new parents are those that require no work on their part to enjoy.
However, this is a strategy that's best used when you are absolutely positive the new parents want what you've gotten them. Remember, baby gifts that are put together aren't so easily returned. So do this when you're buying something off the registry or when the recipients have specifically asked for what you're giving them.

Include a Gift Receipt
They may love what you've gotten, but they may have also gotten two or three baby gifts just like it. Make it easy to return yours, and they'll be grateful.

Include Your Full Name and Address on the Card
After 36 hours of labor and two weeks of sleep deprivation, a new mommy can't be counted on to remember her own last name, let alone yours. That's true even if she's your sister or best friend. So make it easy for her by writing your full name on the card. Including your address, too, makes it easy for her to write the thank-you note.

Author Bio: Stephanie Gallagher, a.k.a., The Shopping Mom,is the author of several parenting books and Editor of The Shopping Mom's Guide to Baby Gifts, http://www.guide-to-baby-gifts.com


Lisa's Comments
I really like all of these suggestions, especially the one about the remembering the moment gift basket. I wish I had gotton one of those when my son was born. I think I'll start giving them out to people I know are financially OK enough that they don't need help with diapers, etc.

I have one suggestion about the Nursing survival kit though - it's a great idea, but you probably should talk to the expectant mother first to be sure she is even going to try breastfeeding. I personally think everyone should nurse their children for many reasons (health of baby and mom being the most important one) but not everyone feels as I do and a woman who has already decided against breastfeeding may be offended by such a gift.