by Debbie Gillotti

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: February 21, 2009

The worst holiday gifts to be received by someone may not be so for everyone. Because we are all different and have different likes and dislikes, that funky dollar store body spray might be just the gift that your neighbor down the street was hoping to get.

Unfortunately, some people just don't have a clue about good gift giving. They rush through the stores picking up things from the center aisle bin. A nail clippers set, a small day planner or some other poor quality item that is better left where it is. So they saved a bit of time and expense. Most likely their efforts will not be thought of fondly later on. Don't get me wrong, these are great stocking stuffer gifts but I will be first to admit that I have received some of these very items as a one and only gift. That dreaded fruitcake, uh, thanks..next.

There are those people that focus on cost, with little thought going into what the receiver might really enjoy. I suppose this is important to some folks. I am not one of them. I am a practical gift buyer. One of those who really likes to get someone I care about, something they would use. I set my budget to a certain amount and try to stay within that amount. With a bit of research and patience, I usually end up finding the gift I had been searching for, sometimes at a better price than I had hoped. The downside to this is that it can be too predictable and boring at times. You need to kick things up a notch and do something fun.

The trick is to listen and observe. People tell you a lot about their interests without even knowing it. Do your friends or family members like cooking, singing, playing games? Forget dishes and card games. Spring for the big chefs hat and a matching apron. Have it personalized. Any shower singer would love their own karaoke machine. (not for the shower, of course). A friend of mine is an artist and knowing how important it was that she have the right items to work with in her hobby, I found her some other fun items like a five foot crayola crayon and an equally large pencil and eraser. Totally useless gifts but something she was entirely overjoyed with. They now hang in her studio.

Since one of my friends is always losing her TV remotes, I went to the local pharmacy and purchased one of those giant remote controls for her. It didn't cost much, but she has told all her friends and family about it and loves it as much as the best box of chocolates. There is that one family member who is never able to make a solid decision about anything. Knowing she has a great sense of humor as well, I purchased her a Magic 8 ball. You know, the one that you ask a question, shake and get some unsuspecting answer through the little window on the bottom of the ball. She loved it.

I would recommend that if you are going to purchase a gag gift for someone, that you are aware

of how they might receive it. Not all of us have a sense of humor and hurting someone's feelings is the last thing you want to do. Just remember, the special day is about caring, sharing, bringing a bit of happiness into that person's life.

Good gift buying doesn't take a lot of effort, but a little bit of creative thinking will go a long way.

Share a picnic lunch, a short boat ride, spend a weekend out of town.

And you can build a utility shed with those store bought fruitcakes. They aren't good for much else.

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