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Ah, yes, the woman who has everything; she's the one who brings home the bacon, fries it up in the pan, yadda yadda. If she wants or needs an item, she's got the resources to purchase it. And she's darn hard to buy for at Christmas.

However, there is ONE item that is short supply for the woman who has it all, and that one precious asset is time. Yep, women these days manage to work, raise their families, volunteer, carpool, and all of the above at the same time. They are worn thin, and what most of them would give their eye teeth for is some time to themselves. Unfortunately, they are not likely to give themselves that gift.

That's where you, dear gift giver to the woman who's got it all, come in. Miriam T. recalls that when she was a struggling college student and her mother gave her money for her birthday, she would tell Miriam that the only requisite for receiving the gift was that she had to PROMISE her mother that she would use the money to spend on herself, not on bills.

The gift of time is a similar commodity; in order for a woman to spend it on herself, she very nearly has to be "forced" to do so. Following are some gift ideas that either demand she carve out some time to nurture and care for herself, or that will help her conserve some of her precious energy for other pursuits:

A gift certificate to a day spa. This one's a no-brainer. Make sure there's an expiration date, otherwise she will procrastinate, and never get around to actually making an appointment. Did you know that most retailers actually make money on gift certificates? It's true; and there's on simple reason for this: the great majority of recipients, though well intentioned and grateful, never redeem them. By providing a "deadline", of sorts, you're increasing the likelihood that your gift will be enjoyed.

If she's a reader, make up a "reader's kit" that she can leave by her favorite easy chair. Simply fill a basket with a few books she has on her reading list, a pen (in case she wants to take notes), a pair of reading glasses (one can NEVER have too many pairs of readers), some decorative bookmarks and a copy of Oprah's reading list.

Maid service. This one's always a hit. Whether you provide her with one day of deep cleaning that will give her a head start at the start of the new year, or several recurring, weekly appointments, this gift will not only lift her spirits, it will get rid of several items on her to do list. There's no greater feeling than coming home from work to a clean house after a long day at work.

Create a "bath time" basket filled with bath salts, lotion, body splash, talcum powder, and a pair of pedi-socks (soft socks that are made to put on her feet at night after she applies lotion), and a paperback for reading in the tub.

Make up some "home made" gift certificates, offering your services for any of the following: grocery shopping, miscellaneous errands, yard work, filing, housecleaning, laundry or ironing.

A book of daily meditations (like "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Breathnach) for the upcoming year. We all know that if we allow ourselves to start our day by reading something inspirational, the spiritual aspect of our being will be strengthened tremendously. Along with some inspirational reading material, give her a journal with nice paper and a pen so she can jot down some of her thoughts, hopes, dreams and/or prayers.

Women who are successful at childrearing, their careers, or a combination thereof typically let self care go by the wayside, when time is of the essence (and when, really, is that NOT the case?). By carefully considering ways to make her life easier, you will be giving the woman who has everything the one thing she lacks: time for herself.

Learn more about this author, Rachel Stockton.
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