Successful Holiday Gift Giving Starts with a Plan

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the clock is ticking down as we grow closer to the holiday festivities. By now, many have either started thinking about what they are going to purchase for those on their gift list ? others are in full holiday shopping mode. The holiday season proves to be a stressful time for some, adding to their already tension-filled lives. Buying gifts is only half of the dilemma ? deciding what to buy makes up the other half.

Gift buying can actually be fun and stress-free. I recommend a fool-proof method of ensuring you get the right thing for each recipient the first time around. The key to successful holiday gift giving starts with a plan. Begin by making a list of names you will be purchasing holiday gifts for. Leave two or three blank spaces between each name where you will jot down information about each recipient. Once your list of names is complete, your holiday gift giving plan will start to take shape one recipient at a time.

Starting with the first person on your list, write down what types of things they like, hobbies they enjoy, collections they may have, and anything you can remember about them that will help you make your holiday gift selections. For example, Susie is the first person on my list. The things I know about her are that she is a scrapbook enthusiast and she enjoys gourmet teas. I jot those items on my list and move on to Tim. Tim is Susie's husband and a guy that is so hard to buy for. I am never sure what to get him. I do know that he likes to golf, and Susie recently mentioned that he has taken up cooking. That is an interesting combination, but I will think of something. My list also includes a corporate client that I like to send something to every holiday season as a token of my appreciation for the business they send to me throughout the year. There are many other recipients on my list, but I want to focus on these three individuals.

My holiday gift giving plan is beginning to take shape. Since I am the type of person who cannot settle for just one item, I have discovered a very simple and smart approach to meeting my holiday gift giving needs ? gift baskets! Based on each recipient, every gift basket has its own theme. Let's start with Susie the scrapbook enthusiast. A gift basket filled with archival safe photo mounting paper and pens, interesting fibers, decorative brads, a corner punch, and a few other small related items make a great start to a winning gift. Topped off with a mug for the avid scrapbook-a-holic and a few gourmet tea bags, this gift is going to rock!

Tim's gift will even come together nicely when implementing a little creativity. I decided on a huge mixing bowl filled with small kitchen tools, a cookbook, and some unique spices will be sure to please the aspiring cook. For a more personal touch, I added a personalized apron and gourmet chef's hat! The bowl of goodies is sitting on a wooden cutting board and the entire present is tied up in a square table cloth.

The corporate gift is a cinch. Select either a basket filled with gourmet treats or a stack of gift boxes filled with diverse snacks. Either is sure to make a big hit.

Holiday gift giving and planning do not have to be a chore. Solicit the help of others. If you come up short on items for your list, call a family member or friend to assist you. They may know or remember more about a specific individual than you. Once your list is complete, the fun part actually begins. Gift baskets take the stress out of the entire process of holiday gift giving. To make it successful for both the giver and recipient, be sure that you take into consideration items that relate to the individual. When you take time to personalize the gift basket, you ensure a successful holiday gift giving experience.

About The Author

Wendy Wood is the owner of Seek Gift Baskets, an online gift basket directory listing professional gift basket designers from around the world. http://www.seekgiftbaskets.com

---

Christmas Gifts to Last a Lifetime

Do you know what you are giving to the children... Read More

9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More

Patience

Ever since my girls were little, I've tried to teach... Read More

Dress To Impress! Find Your Sexy Halloween Costume And Shake What Your Mamma Gave You

Everyone loves to look and feel good, right? Well, why... Read More

Visions of Sugar Plums and Holiday Safety!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!Every year at this... Read More

New Years Resolutions

Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze... Read More

Say I Love You For Valentines Day

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to... Read More

Incredibles Kid Birthday Party Idea

Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based... Read More

Keeping it Simple this Season

It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that... Read More

Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you're tired of your gifts looking like everyone else's,... Read More

Its Party Time - Lets Decorate!

Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying.... Read More

The Holiday Shopping Experience - Rewarding or Traumatic?

Picture this scenario! It's December 24th, the day of Christmas... Read More

Find New And Exciting Halloween Masks For Your Next Costume Party!

For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More

50 Ways to Acknowledge Your Employees Before and After Labor Day

For most people, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer,... Read More

Valentines Day is NOT only for Lovers

Some people hate to see Valentines Day come around. Some... Read More

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

As the holidays approach each year, more and more people... Read More

Jeweled Shamrock Pendant

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition... Read More

Tips to Save Time & Money; Christmas Shopping Online

So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a... Read More

Successful Holiday Gift Giving Starts with a Plan

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the... Read More

How To Choose The Hotel Thats Right For You

Getting the right hotel to spend one~s vacation at is... Read More

Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

Are you looking for special Halloween party ideas that will... Read More

Mothers Day Love Letter ? The Best Way to Express Your Gratitude and Appreciation for Mom!

Abraham Lincoln said ? "All that I am, or hope... Read More

Preparing For the Holidays: Ho Ho Ho... or Bah Humbug!

Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it... Read More

Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday

December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More

Anniversary Gift Ideas Year by Year, the First Nineteen Years

It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each... Read More

What Are And How To Use Free Ecard and Free Ecards

You can consider free ecards as being the same thing... Read More

Making Gifts A Pleasure

As we reach the time of year when Christmas items... Read More

Outside the Box Gingerbread Houses

Beyond trees and wreaths, there are few symbols of the... Read More

EASTER: The Bunny and The Egg

Ever wonder why there's an "Easter Bunny"? Ever wonder why... Read More

Top 15 Valentines Day Quotations

"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return,... Read More

A Mothers Keepsake

A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More

Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!

Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More

Children?s Birthday Party Locations and Ideas

While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you... Read More