How to give the best gifts

If you've ever been frustrated when it comes time to shop for someone's birthday or for the holidays, you don't have to go it alone. So here are some tips to help your sanity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A notebook
• Pen

1. First rule of thumb: start early! From the time you know you'll need a gift, allow yourself plenty of time, so that you can take advantage of sales, or be able to have items shipped with time to spare.
2. It always pays to know a little something about who you're shopping for, before you ever start looking. If it's someone in your family or close circle of friends, think about what the person's interests include and generate a list of possibilities, writing them into a notebook.
3. Drawing a blank? Talk to the person's parent, spouse, best friend, or someone else close to him or her who would be able to help you out with further ideas, or be of assistance if you need to ask questions later.
4. Once you've got some things in mind, consult your list and narrow it down to a hanful of choices.
5. For specific items, research which stores carry them, or if possible browse online to find alternate methods (such as e-Bay or Amazon).
6. For generalized categories or vague items, enlist the help of an expert. If you're buying a baby gift and you don't have much experience around children, visit a children's store and talk with the sales associates.
7. If all else fails and you are still stuck, at least get a gift card to the person's favorite store, restaurant, or pasttime.