TRI-COUNTY SHOPPER • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
THE DAILY DISPATCH • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011
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Gift ideas for when you’re pressed for time The Christmas countdown has begun, and the days will no doubt fly off the calendar like they do every year. Before you know, it’s only a few days until the holiday is here. Those who haven’t yet started shopping may feel pressed for time and worry that they will not be able to find gifts for everyone on their lists — at least gifts that don’t look like they were afterthoughts. But good gifts can be found in the eleventh hour.
for making ice cream sundaes. • Pick a gift that embraces the holiday spirit. Holiday music, ornaments or table decorations can be used this year or next.
Children
Adults
Christmas is right around the corner. If you have to purchase last-minute gifts, be sure they don’t look like an afterthought.
• Visit the local liquor store for a bottle of wine in the price range desired. Wrap it in a wine bag or leave it as is with a nice bow.
• Pick up passes to a local attraction, such as an amusement park or a museum. Put together tickets for a play paired
Shipping gifts is more than just timing When shipping holiday gifts, much of the focus is on getting those gifts in the mail on time. While it’s important to avoid procrastinating when shipping holiday gifts, there’s more to shipping gifts than just getting them sent out promptly. When shipping holiday gifts this season, consider the following tips. • Ship through an online retailer. Billing address and the shipping address are two different categories when buying from an online retailer, and holiday shoppers should take advantage of a retailer’s willingness to package and ship gifts for you. Many online retailers will even gift-wrap items for you and include a personal note as well. • Protect the gift. For those who won’t be using an online retailer, be sure to protect the gift, especially if it’s fragile. Use bubble cushioning and packing peanuts when sending fragile items through the mail. If sending multiple items, wrap each item tightly in bubble cushioning but leave some space between the items for peanuts. • Carefully pack
perishables. When sending perishable items, always send them via next-day delivery and never ship them near the end of the week, such as a Friday or Saturday. Items shipped on Friday and Saturday should be able to withstand a few days of being in transit. But when sending cheeses, fruits or any other perishable items, it’s best to do so early in the week and choose nextday delivery. • Insure more expensive gifts. Don’t skimp on insurance when sending expensive gifts such as jewelry through the mail. Shipping companies typically only insure items up to a certain amount, so insure more expensive items through your own insurance company so their full value is covered. • Comparison shop when shipping. Comparison shopping not only applies to holiday gifts, but shipping as well. Shipping companies, including the post office, compete for business come the holidays, and you can likely find a good deal to reduce the cost of shipping holiday gifts, costs that can add up if shipping several gifts.
with a soundtrack of the production. • Food is often appreciated. A box of fine chocolates or one of those edible
fruit arrangements will be a tasteful, and tasty, gift. • Fill a large bowl with a scooper, sprinkles, cherries, and other toppings
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• Teenagers can be finicky, so a monetary gift will be one-size-fits-all. • Teenage girls may appreciate a gift basket of delicious scented lotions. • Passes for movies can make date night less expensive. • Consider a gift card or e-gift coupon for digital music downloads. • Give a subscription to a teen magazine so that everyone can keep abreast of their favorite celebrities.
A quick guide to gift-giving etiquette Deciding on and paying for holiday gifts can be a challenge under the best circumstances. But then there are the inevitable “sticky situations” that can leave even the most experienced gift-givers scratching their heads. In the hopes of dodging major gift gaffes this holiday season, here are eight tips for gracious giving and receiving. • Review your gift list each year to determine if any relationships have changed and require a shift in your gift-giving plan. • Don’t ask non-family members on your gift list what they would like. This not only spoils the surprise, but puts pressure on recipients to gauge how much you want to spend and requires them to get you something in return. • For workplace gifts, adhere to the company’s policies and make sure that gifts are given out of appreciation, not expectation. • Don’t feel obligated to match what others spend. Buying gifts based on what others spend is both unnecessary and can lead
Regifting is now considered a (mostly) acceptable practice, as long as it’s done thoughtfully, tastefully and within certain guidelines. to excessive expenditures. • Including a gift receipt is a good idea and avoids potentially awkward situations when an item doesn’t fit or doesn’t work. • If someone surprises you with a gift, the best bet is to respond honestly. Let the giver know that you are surprised, touched and appreciative as well as a bit embarrassed that you don’t have a gift in return. Then let it go and add his/her name to your
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• Pop into a toy store or a department store and pick up a cuddly stuffed animal. • Buy an art set for older children, full of paints and markers. If a complete set can’t be found, make an art package with a bunch of supplies packed into a gift bag. • Choose an educational gift that is still fun, like alphabet flash cards or puzzles. A subscription to a children’s magazine would also work, seeing as
children love getting mail. • Few kids will turn down a DVD of their favorite television characters. The DVDs should feature an age-appropriateness rating to make choosing one even easier.
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gift list for the following year. • Give holiday tips to those individuals whose service you count on throughout the year, such as hairstylists, babysitters, dog walkers, etc. An easy rule of thumb for holiday season tips is to double the usual tip. For household employees, give one week’s pay. • Don’t arrive at holiday gatherings empty-handed. A small gift, bottle of wine or contribution to the eve-
ning’s edibles is the right way to thank your hosts for their invitation. • Acknowledging gift givers is a must, but formal, written thank you cards are optional. While handwritten notes are always preferable and greatly appreciated, e-mails are increasingly acceptable — especially for young people. Regifting is now considered a (mostly) acceptable practice, as long as it’s done thoughtfully, tastefully and within the following guidelines: • The regifted item should not be homemade or made especially for you. • The item should be new, unused and in its original packaging, along with instructions. • Be sure to remove all previous wrapping and gift tags. • Don’t regift to friends or family members who have a reputation for returning things they don’t like. You don’t want to be asked for a gift receipt. • Make certain that the original giver and the new recipient will never cross paths.
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