The Holiday Handbook is back! This week I will be focusing on gift-giving. The most important thing is not how much money you spend, but how thoughtful you are. Here are some tips:

 
1. Listen. This is crucial. In order to know what someone would like to recieve, you have to pick up their cues.  When thinking about the ‘hard-to-buy-for’ person, ask yourself: What do they spend time talking about? Is there something they complain about that could make their life easier?
2. Don’t give junk. If you are really stuck on what to give someone, make sure your gift is something that can be used and appreciated. A snowglobe  is likely to sit gathering dust or be regifted, while handsoap, wine, or cookies will be used up by almost anyone!
3. Gift Cards are OK. Gift cards often get a bad rap, they can seem so impersonal. But if you tailor them to the recipient, they become an experience. A gift card for dinner out, a massage, or a cooking class are better than gift cards to electronic or big-box stores.
4. Make it personal. Everyone loves personalized items with their names or initials, it just adds an extra special touch. Here is just one shop offering personalized touches.

Hope this helps, Happy shopping!