Gift Giving Guide

'Tis the season! Holidays are about family, friends and festivities. But for some, finding the perfect gift for that special someone can be more frantic than fun. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, but holiday sales are just kicking into gear. If you’re looking for some help with your gift giving this year, look no further.

Save Money If you’ve got a list that rivals Santa’s or are working with a budget, there are some things you can do to save some green. Make sure to research the best price before buying. Do a quick Google search to see how much the item you’re looking for costs at different stores. Look for coupons or promo codes to use during your transaction, and shop when there is a sale to avoid paying full price. Also, consider buying gift sets, which are considerably less expensive than buying items individually. Books make great gifts if you’re stuck on what to get someone. Electronics tend to be on the pricier side, so save those for birthdays or anniversaries, unless you can find them on sale.    

Gift Experiences What do you give the person who has everything? Or, the person who doesn’t covet material things? Give the gift of experiences. Tickets to movies, sporting events, museums, concerts or festivals, day or weekend trips, classes for specialized skills, seminars, and so much more! Think of something that person has always wanted to do and just never got around to doing. Or, something they’ve always wanted to try but haven’t. By gifting an experience, you’ll be able to give them memories of doing, trying and going somewhere new and fun. New experiences shared with loved ones is a fool-proof way to master gift giving.

Donate In lieu of giving or receiving gifts in the conventional sense, consider donating to charity. What organization or cause is important to you and your loved ones? When you donate to charity, you are making a difference and helping those in need of resources and money. You are also doing something that will make you and your gift recipient feel great. What better time of year to give rather than receive, and to put others before yourself? You can also gift your time and volunteer at a local shelter, soup kitchen, youth center or after-school program. A bonding moment that also translates into doing good work is the ultimate gift. 

Whatever you decide, remember that it's the thought that counts! It doesn't matter what the present is, how it's wrapped, or how much it cost. What matters is that you are thinking of the other person and want to do something nice for someone else.