Time to get serious about gifts

December 19, 2010
St. Charles County, MO

This previously-posted article is resurfacing because of the Christmas countdown.

When only a few days remain before Christmas, it’s time to get the shopping wrapped up, literally. Even those who started shopping immediately after Thanksgiving or, as the retailers would prefer, the day after Halloween, there are probably a couple of gifts still to buy.
Enough talk. For ideas, check this pre-brainstormed list before heading to the stores.
activity books for kids
alarm clock
art kit (fun for all ages)
backpack
badminton set
baking pans
bar-b-que grill
baseball cards (or another sport)
bath robe
bath salts
bead kit
bean bag chair
bed trays
Bible
blanket
blender
blow dryer
board game
book from a favorite author
book about a favorite topic
bubble bath
bulletin board/dry erase board
calendar
calligraphy book or kit
camera
candle snuffer
candles
cappuccino/espresso maker
cell phone
chocolate
coffee maker
coffee mug
cologne
comforter
comic books
cookbook
cookies
croquet set
daily planner
dart board set
dish towel set
doll
door beads
doormat
ear muffs
fancy soaps
festive socks
fireplace candelabra
fireproof box for important documents
flash cards
foosball/hockey/ping pong table
football
fruit cake
gaming software
goalie net
golf clubs
good scissors
gourmet popcorn
growth chart
hair gel
hat/glove/scarf set
herb garden set
ice cream maker
instrument or accessories for instrument (drumsticks, guitar strings etc.)
jewelry
jewelry box
joke book
key chain
kitchen supplies—whisks, spatulas etc.
Lego brand building toys
Lincoln log building toys
lotions
luggage
magazine subscription
make a donation in the recipient’s name
manicure set
massager
meat slicer
microbrewery kit
microwave
model airplane or car kit
money
mouse pad
movie or television series DVD
mp3 player
music CD
nail polish
new tool (each Christmas offers new gadgets)
nightgown/pajamas
note cards and pen
ornament
paint-by-number set
painting by local artist
paper shredder
pasta maker
peanut brittle
picture frames
placemats
Play-doh
pool cues
pot holders
potluck travel dish
potpourri
pots and pans cook set
punching bag
purse
putting machine for golf
puzzle
quilt
red wagon
scrapbooking kit
serving bowls
serving spoons
sewing box
sewing machine
sleeping bag
slippers
smoker (for smoking meat)
soccer ball
specialty coffee
specialty tea
stereo
sunglasses
sweater
tablecloth
kids’ tape recorder
telescope
tickets to a sporting event
tickets to an upcoming show (at the Fox, for example)
tie
toaster oven
toss pillows
train set
travel mug
travel steamer
video game chair
video games
walkie-talkies
wallet
watch
water filter
Webkinz brand stuffed animal/Internet toy
wind sock
wine
wok
Stocking stuffers:
playing cards
candy
bubbles
(check out the party favors aisle at the dollar store)
toothpaste/toothbrush/dental floss
lip balm
lotion
yo-yo
cute pens/pencils
bandages (with cute design)
chewable vitamins
For someone elderly, living on their own:
Make a snowed-in kit: Pack a laundry basket of practical items such as: soap, toothpaste, coffee etc. so the recipient has some necessities during a snow storm.
For a teenager with a “new” car:
Pack a bucket with car wash soap, wax, sponge, chamois, air freshener, tire gauge, ice scraper etc. Be sure to include some money for gas.
Containers and organizers are also good gifts:
CD/DVD cabinets and holders
baseball card collector pages
toy cars storage containers
desktop storage
kids’ room storage
For a child who likes to play “school”:
Go to the teacher supply store and buy a grade book and other real teacher stuff.
For general ideas:
Walk around the feed store, book store, farmers market, craft store, music store or hardware store. These places offer something for everyone.
When all else fails, give a gift certificate from:
video store
nail shop
oil change
car wash
hair cut
electronics store
movie theater
gas
coffee shop
favorite restaurant
Though the retailers and even the topic of this article make the holidays seem all about gifts, the holidays are really about spending time with loved ones.

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