Tis the season for gifting.

Buying a gift can be a stressful task for many. What to get? Will they like it? These are common questions, especially this time of year.

A good rule of thumb is to get something the person would not normally purchase for themselves like decadent treats or pampering products.

If you have no idea what the recipient’s taste is, play it safe. You do not want to put them in a tough position and feel obligated to wear or display something in their home they don’t like:

Example

Play it safe, keep it simple.

In recent years I have tried to incorporate gifts that can be consumed, food & wine / candles & bath products etc. and these are perfect things to buy someone you don’t know very well or really have no clue what to get them.

Gift Idea #1- Box O’ Wine / Food Basket

Collect old wine boxes to use for gifts. I had this one and filled it with cheese, crackers, chocolate and a bottle of wine. You can do the same with lotions, soaps, candles or customize your own. This is also a great gift to bring to a host if you are attending a dinner party.

Another idea is to get a basket or colander and pack it with pasta, sauce, oil, and serving utensils.

Tuscan Wine and Pasta Gift Basket

Gift Tip: During the year if you come across something that you know a friend or family member would like, buy it and hold on to it for the holidays.  I keep a gift box and fill it with treasures I find along the way or from my travels with certain people in mind. Then when holiday season arrives, you are farther along in the process than you thought and it is fun to go through the gifts you bought (and forgot about) months before!

More ideas to come…