How to Choose Gifts for People You Barely Know

Sometimes you feel you have to send something more than a card or a check. If you don't know the recipient, say, a wedding gift for your nephew and his unknown bride on the other side of the country or your new boss, don't be overwhelmed. You can give them their favorite present!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook
• Pen
• Available statistics on recipient

1. 1. Consider what you know about Recipient: age, tastes, home town or state, family gossip, internet info

2. 2. Safe options: Picture frames for those wedding, family or business pictures. Magazine subscription: Shelter magazines for newly-weds. Business or sports magazines for clients or employers/employees. (If they already have it, they can donate to the local library).

3. 3. Museum shops. One example, The Metropolitan Museum of New York Shop, offers unique copies of the artifacts in its exhibits, made into jewelry, cuff links, scarves, neckties. They also have desk calendars, children's gifts and figurines, etc. If you don't have a museum in your vicinity, you can find catalogs on line, as well as a list of museums.

4. 4. A Donation in Your Name has been given to the charity/organization of your choice, be it Save The Whales, Salvation Army.

Tips & Warnings

• That Personal Note. Every gift should be accompanied by a card expressing your best wishes and why you chose this special gift for that particular person. Example: "Because you're a Giants fan, I thought you'd enjoy Sports Illustrated."
• Be neutral. This is someone you don't know well, so don't assume or presume anything you're not sure of.