by Charles Arndt

Created on: October 12, 2007

The most difficult part of giving a gift, no matter when it is done: choosing a gift that includes the interests of the person you are giving it to. To neglect to do this is the same as wrapping a piece of dog feces in expensive paper, and giving it to someone. The effect is the same-a clear expression of lack of value for that person as a real, true friend. Few people actually care enough to do this, or at least, take the time to choose properly. Even a last minute shopper can successfully make a choice, if the gifts show the recipients' interests.

An innovative toy is a good choice for a "child at heart" or a young child, as it will continue to interest them, and remind them you cared enough to find something special. An attractive, but inexpensive piece of jewelry is not a bad gift for someone who is stylish, or wants to be, as with young girls who play dressup. A person who likes to travel, or wishes to, would truly enjoy a small memento of a place you have been, especially if it is unique or "kitschy." Some people collect spoons-to find a spoon from a certain place, even if it is one they already have, means that the giver cared about the person's interests. To find one they don't have means even more, because it implies the giver cared to notice. Even if the giver doesn't share the choice of hobby, it means that the spoon collector's happiness is important to the giver.

There are many innovative toys that are eternal favorites, such as magnetic based toys that require creativity. The collector figurines from many favorite shows and movies are very hot, depending on what they are. The Doctor Who series is still very popular, but if the giver could get a figurine from the FIRST SERIES, the receiver would be the giver's BFF! (Best Friend Forever) If a "Gater" (a fan of StarGate) series got an autographed photo of one of the castmembers, especially if the photo was autographed to the receiver by name, the giver would be their eternal hero. The effort in finding the gift is part of the gift itself, no matter how cheap it really is. Unfortunately, most hard to find gifts are not cheap. The harder it is to find, the better, as it attaches the effort to find it as part of the gift.

There is nothing better than giving a person a rare gift. Imagine how a classic auto fanatic husband would feel, if his wife gave him a die-cast model car that is rare and hard to find. Imagine how a gardener wife would feel, if the husband gave her a brown package, and opened it to

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