Last-Minute Mailing

If you don't have all your gifts sent out and are concerned about their arriving by the 25th remember that the Post Office has something called Express Mail. They deliver 365 days a year. Yes, they deliver on Christmas Day. Usually if you get your package to the Post Office on the 24th it wil be delivered on the 25th. However be prepared for long lines.

Martha Stewart Perfection

Has your holiday time has always been about getting everything perfect? Perfect deocrations, perfect table centerpiece, perfect gifts, perfect meals, perfect everything maybe it's time to rethink things.

It's not just the economic downturn changing things it's also about how we live our life. What makes the important things down the road a year from now or decades from now. People remember the holiday cooking smells, the family and friendships, the fun and enjoyment of being together or celebrating in a really meaningful way.

Think about this as a time to make memories. Not only for yourself but for those around you. What can you really do to make this time one that is memorable. Take the time and the energy to really talk to people, to spend time with them, to connect with them by phone or email or by letter. This can be the best gift of all.

Regifting

It's coming down to the wire for holiday gift giving.

This is a great year for regifting. We've all received gifts that we can't use or don't want but are perfectly fine items. We're in a society of material overload (or have been up to now) and regifting is a good way to lighten our material overload. Wine, candles, books and lots of over things are good gifts to pass on. I've regifted and there are certain things to keep in mind.

1. Don't regift something to the person who gave it to you. Either remember who gave you something or if it's something you immediately know you won't use make a note and put it with the item.

2. Remove the original gift card. You don't want someone receiving something from you and then in the package seeing that it was given by to you by your Aunt Millie or a friend.

3. Make sure the item is in top notch condition. Don't regift items that you've used, are shabby or look worn in any way.

Inexpensive Gifts #2

In the past I have urged people to use the dollar store for gifts and suggested ways to be imaginative about it. Well, it may be even more important in these tough economic times to use the dollar store.

You can get really good gifts by thinking about what can be put together. If someone likes to cook put together a couple of kitchen utensils, a jar or two of spices, a potholder and wrap it all in a dish towel or two and tuck in a recipe that would use the spices.

For someone whose life is harried (and whose isn't) put together a mug or two, some tea, a candle, some chocolate, maybe a CD and a few words about relaxing along with a favorite poem of yours.

Take some time to look at what is available and think about how you can put the combinations together. This is what makes a gift special and personal and gives the recipient the feeling that you cared about what you gave.

The dollar store can also be great for gift bags, wrapping paper and bows.

Inexpensive (But Thoughtful) Holiday Gifts

This year everyone is certainly concerned about money and concerned about spending on gifts. There are many gifts you can gift that are thoughtful, will be truly appreciated by the recipient and are either not expensive or maybe even cost-free.

1. I have for years recommended that peopel put together photograph albums as original, inexpensive and unique gifts. Do you have photos of family or friends that are duplicates or that you can easily get reproduced? Put them into an album (preferably one where the pages are made of archival materials) and give them to people. I've given albums for wedding gifts and they are great for graduations and other events.

If you are having family for the holidays you can have historical family photos put on CDs, or do it yourself if you know how and give them as gifts. They really are gifts that no one else will give them and they are truly thoughtful an appreciated.

2. Another thing that you can do is to give a coupon book as a gift. The idea is to make up coupons that the recipient can take out any time for a back rub or something else that they may want or need. Use your imagination.

3. I love paper and stationery and collect cards with sayings that I like and put them into an album where I can look at them to be inspired or soothed when times are tough.

Some of the ones that I have are:

Confront the difficult while it is still easy: accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. -- Tao Te Ching

The road to sucess has many tempting parking spaces. -- Steven Potter

A woman is like a tea bag -- you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

You can find the same types of cards to put into an album or look through a book of quotes or look online and print them out or copy them in nice handwriting and put them into a book or album. This can be a very personal gift if you know the type of quotes the person will like -- whether they are religious or romantic or inspiring.

Survivng The Holidays #5 -- Inexpensive Gifts

A new dollar store recently opened in my area, in a somewhat upscale strip mall that also has a giant Whole Foods, among other stores. I went to see what it's like and in a way it's an upscale dollar store (upscale dollar store, there's a concept). Some of the things I'm used to seeing at dollar stores as well as some of the food items are not there but there are some wonderful holiday wraps and bows and great craft supplies (I like stickers), and stuffed toys along with the usual cleaning supplies, cereal, microwave food items, paper goods, picture frames, mugs, crossword puzzle books and dollar store stuff.





I was reminded once again that dollar stores are great places to go for inexpensive gifts. It just takes a little imagination to put something together from a few items that fits the recipient. If someone likes to cook get them a few kitchen items. A knife or spatula, a potholder, a trivet, a spice and wrap it all in a dishtowel. Put in a recipe (preferably using that particular spice) and you've got a nice gift. For someone who is always busy and could use a relaxing break in their routine put together a candle and a piece of nice candy (preferably chocolate, for most people) and a mug and some tea bags or hot chocolate mix and copy or write a poem about time to relax and watch the world go by.





By putting a few items together as a themed gift that fits the person you can have something they will enjoy and which will show your thoughtfulness.

Surviving The Holidays#4 -- Museum Gift Shops

Still wondering about gifts that you need to get for children, adults, friends, parents, grandparents, neighbors, co-workers? An often overlooked and wonderful palce to shop is museum gift shops. They have things from all over the world, unusual and unique items and prices that are across the board from extremely reasonable to on the expensive side. You don't have to be in a big city to have a terrific museum gift shop. When I visited Casper, Wyoming last year I went to (among other places) the Nicolaysen Musuem and they had a wonderful gift shop. So good I bought some things to bring back for friends (and I live next door to New York City). Try your local museum, no matter how large or small and see what they have.

Another good thing about museum gift shops is that they will often have jewelry and other items from local artisans so you have the opportunity to support local craftspeople. The may have boks, stationery and other gift items featuring something local which can be great for gifts for both locals and people far, far away.

If you absolutely don't have a local museum or don't have the time to get someplace many museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The Boston Museum of Fine arts have websites and you can order and have things sent to you.

Surviving The Holidays #3 -- Older People

It can be difficult to think of gifts for older people in your life -- whether friends or family -- but sometimes a little bit of thought will let you come up with all kinds of interesting ideas.

If they have trouble getting out you can give a box of assorted greeting cards (birthday, get well, anniversary, holiday) interesting address labels and some stamps.

A gift certificate for dinner at a nice restaurant is a thoughtful item. It's great if they're on a fixed budget and this is a treat for them and it can also be great if they are not on a budget but this gives them a chance to get out and try someplace new or even a reason to go to a place they just like to go to.

Try audiobooks or large print books or newspapers make a great gift. They may not want to admit, even to themselves, that it's not as easy to read as it one was.

Gift cards for a massage or manicure can be great as it gives them an opportunity for something they may not do for themselves.

If you live close by and want to do it give them the gift of your time. Offer to take them out to lunch, drive them to a doctor's appointment, take them for a drive in the country whatever would be different or a necessity that they might not manage for themselves.

If they are having trouble driving see if there is a taxi or car service in their area that you can get a gift certificate from. This can be a great boon, especially in bad weather. It also keeps people from feeling trapped.

Life Lessons

Are you frazzled by planning your child's birthday party? Do you feel it has to be bigger and better than other parties? Do you wind up with lot sof stuff your children don't want and will never use? Stuff you'll just have to get rid of down the line?

The New York Times today has article about birthday parties for children without presents. Either money is collected to be given to a charity (usually a local one or in one case the local fire department) or presents are collected that are given to a local children's charity or hospital.

The parents purpose is twofold. One, to have the children understand about the importance of charity and community service and the other is to avoid the heap of presents that are completely unnecessary and in excess that kids get in our consumerist society. Some of the other parents (along with Miss Manners) have criticized this approach but some of the parents who are doing this say their children really enjoy and appreciate this approach because they have been hailed as heroes when they donate the money or the items. They are learning real life lessons about doing good for the community and the importance of volunteer work.

There is an interesting website www.birthdayswithoutpresents.org, which is just what it says, and can be a support for people who want to do this. Another interesting site is www.childrenforchildren.org. Their work is directed to involving children in community activities.