The holiday shopping season is upon us.  Here are some tips to give great gifts:

-Make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for.

-Write down a couple of ideas for each before you get to the store.  Don’t think “you’ll know it when you see it” because you won’t.  At least give yourself some direction where to start.

-Think about that person’s style – how they have their home decorated, what kinds of clothes they wear.  Buy gifts to suit their style, rather than your own.

-Think about how that person spends their time, and where they like to shop.  Go there for gift ideas, talk to the salespeople for suggestions.

-Think about giving experience gifts – and bundling small gifts together.  For example, a certificate to a movie theatre for tickets and popcorn, and a book about a famous director for the movie fan.

-Consider wrapping the gift in a gift itself, go green to show creativity and save wrapping.  For example, wrap the makings for a pasta dinner in a reusable grocery bag.  Wrap some kitchen utensils in a pretty kitchen towel.  Wrap an antique pin in a scarf.

-Think about what people “want” as much as what they “need” – for example, a business person always needs a pen – but you could get them a really elegant pen that they would love but wouldn’t splurge on for themselves.

-Include gift receipts with the gift in case they want to exchange.

-Keep some general “all purpose” gifts on hand for times when you need a last minute gift.