Life is Funny

Every year people always wonder what to buy their friends, family, and co-workers. There is a few gift ideas and rules of thumb that should be helpful to you:

#1: Avoid giving money. Money is often used for trivial things like paying bills, buying groceries, or filling the car with gas. Most of the time people who receive money will also use it to buy gifts for someone else. If you want to someone you care about to have a little special treat, this is the worst way to do it.

#2: Gift certificates are a good alternative to cash as long as you buy one at the right store. However the minimum amount should never be less than $50. I know $25 gift certificates exist, but these days, hardly anything worthwhile can be bought for less than $50. Also a little note that says something like “if you’re shopping on boxing day, hope you can pick up a real deal on something special for yourself”.  Boxing day is the day that everyone runs out and buys things that they had their eye on all year, but they never materialized at Christmas. Your gift card at the right store can come in very handy during this special time.

#3: Christmas ornaments for someone’s tree that are engraved, monogrammed to make them more personable are a nice cheap way of giving “a gift that keeps on giving” every year. Consider this option for certain people.

#4: Pre-pay a yearly magazine subscription to a hobby magazine or similar is something people will rarely buy themselves. When the issue comes in the mail every month, you’ll be thought of everytime. The gift of knowledge is always helpful and appreciated.

#5: Arts and crafts, if you have special talent will be treasured. For instance, making a homemade quilt, or painting a nature scene, or even carving something for someone has low cost, but high amount of time and effort. These gifts are appreciated. The key here is you must have special talent. Shabby arts and crafts can be quite embarassing for both the gift giver, as well as the gift recipient.

#6: Food, Drink, Chocolate, Specialty Coffee. These are little inexpensive gifts (generally $25 or less), but they are appreciated. Very rarely do they go to waste. Just be sure the person you’re buying for isn’t suddenly on a new diet, or recently diagnosed as a diabetic.

#7: Clothing: Try to always avoid buying clothing because this is a matter of personal taste. Nothing worse than buying a sweater for someone that they end up putting in their closet unused because it doesn’t fit their own personal style. What may look good to you, may not look good to the person receiving your gift. Not only that, but sizes may be labeled right, but when the garment is worn, it may feel too tight or too baggy on the person, and they won’t have the courage to say anything to you.

#8: Lottery tickets: Always a welcome gift. They are usually cheap too ($25 and under), but they carry the potential to win someone a lot of money. Not only that, if they do win, some of it may come back your way. Not everyone is a gambler, or will spend money on the lottery. However, if it is given to them as a freebie, I have yet to see anyone not enjoy the thrill of being able to possibly win some money.

#9: Gag gifts. Save these for April 1st / Fool’s Day. This is the worst time of year to give someone a gag gift. There are plenty of other special occassions like a stag, a bridal shower, a birthday, etc, to give a gag gift. Christmas is not one of them. Also avoid stupid gifts that are often shown on TV only this time of  year.

#10: Rare coins, rare collectables, etc. If you find something that is in your budget, that you can give to someone that will appreciate in value, they are very likely to hold onto it for a very long time. This is another gift that keeps on giving. People who aren’t collectors will still appreciate the fun and novelty of owning something that is rare and collectable. It makes a great conversation piece for them, and it’s something they normally would not expect. Depending on the person, and which item you choose, this could be a very great gift.

#11: Necessities: These are always appreciated. They could be things like DVD-R’s, or a stationery set. If the person golfs, maybe some new, high quality golf balls. Any type of consumable item that the person is always needing every few months, will be appreciated. This type of gift means that you know the person well enough to know what is useful to them, and you’re saving them the time and cost to replenish their consumables.

#12: DVD Boxed Sets: Getting the entire series of their favourite television show, or movie trilogy could give them hours of entertainment. Be sure that they don’t already own it. But these generally can be expensive… $5o to $200, but the right boxed set, at the right time, will be very appreciated to whoever is lucky enough to receive it.

Another few caveats…

If you are buying a gift for someone, do some research. Get hints and tips from the prospective person who will be getting your gift. Talk to THEIR friends and family to be absolutely sure that you aren’t going to be buying a duplicate gift that someone is already intending for them.  Nothing worse that getting two cameras on Christmas morning. One that is a cheap $60 one, and one that is an expensive $350 camera.  It causes embarassement all the way around.

Always have a gift receipt ready incase someone would like to exchange the gift for one reason or another.

Don’t over spend, but at the same time, don’t under spend either.

Good gifts are more about thoughtfulness and knowing some time and effort went into getting the proper gift. It is not about how much you spend.

Always have “a prewrapped generic gift” on hand, incase the neighbors unexpectedly come over with a gift. This way you can have something to offer them in return and it doesn’t put you at a vunerable situation. This time of year, is when people socialize together a lot, and if someone gives you a gift spur of the moment, having a gift on reserve in the trunk of your car, or in your bedroom closet (or even in your office drawer) that can be ready in an instant, is something that can come in very handy.

Hopefully this has got you brainstorming about what Christmas gift ideas are good and bad. I’m sure the best gift idea will come from your heart, just be a little creative and take your time.

Finally.. SHOP EARLY.  Nothing worse than running around trying to pick up last minute gift ideas when the stores are running out of stock on certain items.  Christmas shopping is something you can do all year long at the right time, when you see that special something.