Top Quirky Holiday Gifts and What to Give Them Instead

I have friends that I call "super- gifters " - they find the cheapest wacky gadget they can find and buy it for everyone they know. Now while it is truly the thought that counts, a little more thought about the gifts you give can go a long way. Your friend will love you whether you get her those lighted tweezers you saw on TV or a trip to the "City of Lights," but a truly good gift is one that the receiver would buy herself. Here's a few gifts that advertisers will tempt you with this season, and a few tasteful and joy-giving bargains to replace them.

First, the "useful" gift: TeleBrands ' Flat-Fold Colander, at www.flatfoldcolander.com . For $9.95, you can give your friends a product that isn't worth the plastic it's made of. The upside-down-tent design has nothing on the typical concave round of a collander - they'll be fighting with the corners and getting food stuck in the crevices.

For a more efficient space-saving collander , try the Tupperware double collander for even less - $7.70 on www.amazon.com . Each piece can be used separately - one for pasta, one for canned foods. Together, they make a handy salad strainer. And they store together to save that precious kitchen space.

For a less plastic alternative, you can get your friend an over-the-sink strainer in stainless steel for $14.99 at www.bedbathandbeyond.com . The wide shape means less noodle loss over the sides of your collander . You can even store it on the sink.

Second, the "new and improved" gift. The Smartware Bakeware Set from www.fingerhut.com features for $39.99 and is made of all silicone for that non-stick, pop-out effect. I don't know about you, but cooking with plastic is not my idea of a good time. It may be perfectly functional, but the idea of silicone spending quality time with my food at high temperatures just makes me shudder. It might make your friend shudder too.

For a quality, non-stick set of bakeware , try the Oneida 5-piece Bakeware Set on www.Target.com . At 29.99, it's a better value and much more versatile. Who uses a bundt pan, anyway?

Finally, the "oh, isn't that so cute!" gift. The Fly Catcher on www.AsSeenOnTV.com - for only $19.95! So life-like, it actually burps! A masterpiece in plastic. And you still have to clean it.

Better go with the real thing - if you dare. For a friend who has trouble with flies, a real Venus Fly Trap from a website such as www.petflytrap.com can provide an instant conversation piece - without the bodily noises - as well as dine on those pesky flies.

Or, for a safer and more entertaining purpose, try the movie "Little Shop of Horrors" available at www.Blockbuster.com for the bargain price of $12.99. And it will give everyone two hours of diversion from watching the snowflakes fall after Christmas dinner is all cleaned up.

To give a gift that your friends will love, don't start with the gift. Start with your friend: What could she really use? Has she mentioned an item she would really like recently - "Oh, what I wouldn't give for a Bra Baby!" probably has not crossed her lips. Did she just go through a life change? She may love a nice (keep it simple and it will go with her décor ) picture frame with a picture of the two of you in it if she has moved to another state. Or a dartboard with her ex-boyfriend's picture on the target if she's just been through a break up. (As a gag gift only…right…)

If you want to give your friends a bargain, dig a little deeper and find a gift that's a bargain, and will show that the thought really counts.