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Are You Ready for the Perfect Gift? A Guide to Holiday Gift GivingBy Hannah Jennings Gift-giving this season can be especially difficult if you have out-of-town friends and family. They are just as important as those you see everyday and God forbid your gift come late. You'll never hear the end of it! What to do? First, think like Santa Clause; make a list and check it twice. You don't need to purchase gifts for everyone. Cards or picture cards are lovely and a welcome change to the blah of everyday 'snail mail' (I am talking the kind you send with a stamp, email is a no-no). 1. Purchase a small notebook (3' x 5' or smaller). 2. Keep a list of the names of people you need to buy for in that notebook. Leave at least 4 lines under each name with possible gift ideas. 3. Keep an eye out for ads, discounts, and internet promotions that offer savings on those items, and purchase one or two as finances allow. 4. As you purchase items, cross the person off the list. Make a note where you got the item, date, and the price that you paid for it. It will make your life easier if you need to return something. 5. Put all the receipts from the gifts you purchased in a dedicated envelope. I label mine, 'Holiday 2008.' Second, Save yourself shipping hassle by purchasing your gifts for out-of-town relatives online. Put their name in the 'ship to' field and you are the hero of the day. Here is a list of my favorite sites and some of the really cool things they offer. 1. www.nectaroflife.com - They have a great selection of coffee and tea related gift baskets for every hot beverage drinking person on your list. Not to mention they have gift certificates, and coffees that are both exotic and delicious. Since they are both Fair Trade, and organic certified, you can both feel good about the gift and the price. 2. www.half.com - If you are on a budget this year, this is a resource you can't ignore. They have almost every book you can think of, as well as music, games, and DVDs. All the items run about, well, half of the cost in a normal retail setting. 3. www.ftd.com - They have the most beautiful live plants. The plants have a fairly long lifespan for those who have a green thumb. If those on your list are not inclined to grow things, then their cut flowers are nice too. 4. www.etoys.com - I have ordered from them several times in the past for our kids, and friends. The shipping is fast, and they have an amazing selection. 5. www.costco.com - For men's toys, I mean tools and gadgets, their pricing is very competitive. Last year, for example, we got a massage chair for under $500.00. Shipping is included in the price in most cases - one less thing to worry about. They also have toys, home accents, and tools. Third, make B-U-D-G-E-T the theme song of the holidays. If you have to run it on credit and can't pay it off right away, you can't afford it. There is absolutely no reason to have thousands in debt that you will have to pay off for the next 11 months or more when you could have said, 'It's nice, but no.' Engagement rings are the only reasonable exception to this rule. Fourth and finally, if you forget a couple of gifts every year then compensate for it with gifts that have meaning to you, i.e. if you have kids, then nicely frame a couple of pieces of their artwork. Another idea is paint a couple of mugs, or plates at your local pottery store. If you are an avid coffee drinker, you could purchase a couple of bags of coffee from your favorite region. My favorite gifts I have received have been framed photos of friends and family (Read: No poster sized, or larger than 4'x6' for anyone that isn't family). Have all 'emergency gifts' beautifully pre-wrapped with a sticky note on it telling what it is. Do not leave them in a place where the sticky notes can be removed. When you need to ship a gift off, simply take the item to a local FedEx-Kinkos, UPS store, or Postal outlet. If you choose to box the item, make sure the item is secure and well packed. Also, confirm the arrival date before you choose a shipping method. Across the board, USPS Priority Mail is fastest, with an average arrival time of 3 days, followed by Fed Ex Home Delivery, which takes up to five business days. UPS and DHL can take up to two weeks to get to residential locations so make sure that you ask. This year, vow to make some serious commitments to yourself and your pocket book. Remember that Christmas, and Holiday celebrations are more about spending time with your family and creating memories that will last beyond wrapping paper. That can be important to remember when November rolls around, and we are getting [even more] pressure to perform. Purchase gifts that have meaning, value, and show the person that you were really thinking of them. Now you know how to make Santa look bad. About the author Hannah Jennings is an expert on the art of gift giving and creates beautiful custom gift baskets. Check out her beautiful Custom Gift Baskets at www.NectarOfLife.com . |
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