by Alexandra Heep

Created on: December 21, 2011   Last Updated: December 26, 2011

During the holiday season, lonely people especially need some extra TLC. That includes putting extra thought into their Christmas gifts. Stay away from decorative gifts because items that sit on a shelf will not enhance lonely people's lives. Practical gifts can go either way. If the recipient is by nature a pragmatic person and specifies his desire for something specific he needs, a practical gift should work.

If the recipient is also on a tight budget and struggles to buy daily needs for himself, personal hygiene and body care products may be welcome. These include their favorite brand of body lotions, bath and shower gels, shaving cream, and special hair styling products.

What do these have to do with loneliness? If you can't make yourself presentable and feel good about yourself, you are less likely to go outside, increasing the loneliness factor. So, these are indirect gifts that will help out on many levels. Here are some other ideas for the lonely people on your Christmas gift list.

For Women

Anything that allows women to feel better about themselves and things they can use for pampering themselves will go over well. However, this is not as easy as simply buying a gift basket with bath products because this may come across as generic and impersonal. Instead, a gift certificate to a spa or salon would be ideal and serves two purposes: Getting her out of the house and making her feel pampered.

Women may also appreciate a pretty journal with their favorite flower or animal as a cover. If you do not know these, an artistic cover that uses their favorite colors would be suitable. If you do not know those either, go with scenery covers like sunsets. Receiving a journal may encourage them to start journaling which is good therapy for anyone.

For Men

Journaling is not only for women. However, men may shy away from receiving a gift they may see as a "diary." A good alternative (and really a unisex option) that encourages journaling, but is different, is the book  "Wreck this Journal" by Keri Smith. Way more than a journal, it's a creative on hands exercise tool that engages a variety of emotions and uncovers a user's artsy side.

Traditional gifts like tools and model building kits are okay as well, as long as the recipient engages in these activities. And no, a man who uses tools can never have enough and he will spend his time using them.

For Couples

Yes, couples can be lonely too. Anything that gets them out of the house for a date night will be welcome.

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