The holidays are right around the corner. Yep, looming in the back of your mind is the idea that you have to shop for gifts. For a lot of people shopping is not a good thought in general, and when it involves gift shopping, well, that is even worse. I read someplace that men generally dislike shopping more than women. Some men even experience a rise in blood pressure just stepping into a mall.
I used to buy gifts ahead of time. You know, when I found something that I knew was perfect for someone, I would buy it and then save it for their birthday or Christmas. I thought that made the shopping easier, but I don't do that anymore. For one thing, I was forgetting what I bought and where I hid it. For another thing, what was perfect in March seemed outdated in December.
I suggest keeping the whole gift-giving concept simple. For children under age 12, buy toys. If they need socks, buy them and give them to the parents. For anyone over 45, give consumable gifts such as candles, food, lotions and potions, wine, anything that doesn't need dusting or attention. For teenagers, I recommend gift cards or returnable items. I like to add something simple with a gift card to make it more personal. I don't recommend clothing as a gift for anyone, unless the item is from a favorite store and can be returned.
I suppose you are thinking that my next suggestion should be about gifts for spouses. I would like to share some words of wisdom that would help every husband and wife become super gift-givers, but I don't know what those words would be. My experience is that if you keep trying, really trying, to give a perfect gift to your husband or wife, you will hit the bulls-eye a few times. Then just forget the other times. Every wife will get a toaster when she wants a necklace and every husband will get a tie when he wants sports tickets.
Always, always send a thank you note for a gift. Teach your children to send thank you notes. And remember, a gift is given away. Once you hand it over, it is no longer yours. A gift should never have strings attached.
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