Thoughtless, Holiday Gift Ideas

With the holiday gift season approaching, many of us are mimicking the words of Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, "Bah, humbug!" As for searching for unique gift ideas, on the cheap or under $40, most Americans are prone to a state of perplexed shopping procrastination. A vast majority of consumers prefer unique Christmas gift ideas; but, lack the time or motivation to shop for the unusual. So, how does one score a unique gift idea without devoting much time or thought--if any?

Read on.

Gifting in the way of junk is passé. Lead, painted presents "Made in China." are so hazardous, breakable and yesterday. With the new eco-consciousness, buying unsustainable products is counterproductive to the environment. The question becomes: What distinguishes a sustainable gift versus landfill matter?

The disparity is logical. If it does not have any re-gifting value, it's most likely not worth the investment. To ease the stresses of purchasing those obligatory gifts for neighbors, coworkers and other third tiered associates, The Consumer Journal compiled a list of sustainable, unique gift ideas for the picking. The following holiday gift ideas are ideal for any gender, person over 18 years of age, and any ethnicity.

Downloadable music and movies engage the senses. This thoughtless Christmas gift idea is unique because only the recipient can personalize the specifications, making it a definitive winner for anyone plugged into technology. iTunes gift cards come in increments of $15, $25 and $50, at its online store and are available at Starbucks. For cinephiles, who prefer foreign films, Jaman.com has a smorgasbord of blockbuster and international movies. Since, the site does not currently offer gift cards, simply create an account for the recipient, write a check, or send a PayPal payment with the specified dollar amount of downloads. (Flicks are downloadable for a buck).

Everyone wears sunglasses or eyeglasses. While Google approximates some 125+ million Americans wear corrective eyeglasses, Squiddo.com reports that a third of the population sports shades. For every person who wears some type of eyewear, there's a need for a new eyeglass case. Personally designed eyeglass encasements are in rare form at Studio62online.com. These monogrammed cases are unique gift ideas on the cheap. If you prefer to set your own design specifications, at MonogramsbyKim.com, $10 covers the cost of the case and your preferences: color, font style, and the shade of the monogramming.

As seen at Studio62online.com, another nifty personalized gift is the monogrammed laptop sleeve. This unique gift idea is the ultimate solution for the design conscious, female co-worker. In the workplace, business travelers rave about the novelty of the monogrammed luggage tags at All About You Monograms. As another Christmas gift idea, under $15, the selection is comprised of a trove of personalized bag tag styles, colors and designs.

Underrated, plants are not only green, but rarely given. Here's an idea, find a healthy plant, under $10 at Home Depot and marry it to a handmade pottery planter, and you've put together a creative gift without much thought. A number of sites sell unbelievably affordable bonsais. For instance, at ProFlowers.com, bonsais start at $35.00.

With our society being so technologically driven, few people give pens these days. It's another undervalued holiday gift item for several reasons. 1) Mainly, as pens become more antiquated, it's a matter of time before the tools are considered collector's items. Pens symbolize sentimental value. 3) Monogrammed pens also have a low duplicate ratio. In other words, there's not much competition in this sector of holiday giving.

For the classic, personalized pen, the AutoCross by Cross.com showcases an elegant writing utensil, swathed in leather with deep chrome engraving. As an inexpensive alternative, AbbeDesigns.com personalized pens are an economical gift buy, for under $15.

Although, candles tend to be popular Christmas gift ideas, soy candles radiate holiday gift enchantment. Compared to traditional wax candles, soy burns cleaner for extended spans of time. AllAboutYouMonograms.com vends alluring shaped candles, hand poured of soy in three aromatic fragrances. The eco-friendly illuminations are monogrammed with an initial or a personalized message from the giver.

Twenty-four different delectable scents make up the Archipelago-Monogram-Collection. Representing the first 24-letters of the English alphabet, the aromas are rare and intoxicating. Starting with the letter, "A", there's the azalea and violet, for "B," bougainvillea and tuberose, "C," cassis and red currant, and so on. Packaged in an appealing box, topped with a crystal knob, there's no need to gift-wrap the stunning holiday gift presentation.

On the contrary, unique holiday gift ideas are not limited to personalized or monogrammed offerings. In fact, not all customizable presents are recommended. When in doubt of the recipient's taste, give the present in its most generic state, sans the initials. Hence, it maintains its re-gifting value.

Upon completion of the abovementioned article, gift acquisition should be a thoughtless process of online shopping. FYI: Certain e-tailers are offering special discounts to shoppers who make their purchase before the holiday rush.