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You can never have enough friends! A new friend is a great find, and worth celebrating. Unfortunately it's very hard to buy for someone when you don't know them that well. Here are a few guidelines to help you along.

Consider the occasion. Is it a wedding or a birthday? A baby shower or a housewarming? The occasion for the gift has as great bearing on the type of gift.

Wedding gifts are usually best if given to the couple, even if you only know one of them. For a new friend, I recommend a beautiful, silver picture frame. Be sure to get a simple design that will blend with any decor. Birthday presents are best if somewhat personal. With new friends that can be difficult. However, I've never met a woman that wouldn't appreciate a spa day or a pedicure. And a man seems to be endlessly satisfied by some electronic gadget (like an iPod nano, even if they have two already).

Baby showers are something else entirely. Try to find out as much information as you can about your new friend from the person throwing the party (do they know the baby's gender yet, have they already decorated the nursery, will the mother be working outside the home or staying at home, and do they have a name picked out yet). Personalized gifts for the baby are always welcome, but if that isn't an option a beautiful blanket in a soft shade of yellow is always a sure bet, and you can also bank on the mom needed diapers, so include a small package of those with your gift! For the mom that will be returning to work, look for a beautiful photo album she can keep at her desk. She will be missing her baby, and your thoughtful gift will mean the world to her.

Housewarmings can be tricky. People are very peculiar about their tastes and want their home to reflect that taste. One thing I find is that people always appreciate one thing: cleanliness. Depending on your budget, perhaps you could get them one year of monthly deep cleaning. If that is out of the question, try something simpler, like an air purifier. Candlesticks are always in order, but make sure to keep them very neutral. A final thought, there are many services that will deliver a bouquet of the month. These brighten their new home and keep your new friend thinking of you throughout the next year!

New friends are such a great source of happiness in our lives. Show them how glad you are to have met them by selecting a thoughtful gift and in no time that new friend will be an old friend.

Learn more about this author, Cheryl Drahner.
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