How to Give Meaningful Gifts

One of the few things better than receiving perfect gift, is giving it. When you're shopping for that hard to please relative or the friend that seems to have everything, finding a gift that will bring a genuine smile to his or her face can seem impossible.

To get some ideas on finding this Holy Grail of the holiday season, I turned to my neighbor Terri , a personal shopper with major department stores in Orlando, Florida. I used her because I didn't want to give my family any ideas.

Holiday Observation

The first place Terri suggest you start is looking at your relative or friends photos, watching for favorite things and hobbies, beyond the obvious. This may take a little digging, but depending on the person. Casually ask them questions about what they enjoy doing or how they spend their time.

After You've Gathered Your Information

Your relative like to travel? A thoughtful gift for him or her would be a book of travel writing. Maybe your relative enjoys art exhibits, try and help them to explore their own artistic side. Buy the a set of paints and some paper from an art supply store.

Gifts That Make Life Easier

You have a friend that has a lot going on in her world of business. There are so many gadget out there that may simplify her life. She is an archivist and is always reading books and researching, so a lighted magnifying glass would be a wonderful gift for her.

Here's a thoughtful gift that would generate a genuine smile for grandma. Replace her outdate sheets with some crisp, luxuriously, high thread count new ones. It's something she wouldn't buy herself but would enjoy them nonetheless.

Your mom should be easy to buy for, you already know her favorite perfume, so buy her a bath set including lotion of the same fragrance. But if you know that's what everyone like to buy mom, try a little something different. Maybe a day at the spa, my mom would never go to the spa, but I know for fact she would absolutely love it.

Last Thoughts

Remember, with gift giving it really is the pre-shopping thought that counts. Avoid impulse buys at the register, they don't count, they just help deplete your holiday money. Make lists before you go shopping, and use it. The mall is a good place to go, the department stores there are great.