The Modern Gal is so done with her holiday shopping. It only took me three days’ time to lop off a list that included several gifts for my parents, stuff for friends and, of course, the gentleman friend.
As it would be unfair to allow my shopping genius go to waste, I present you The Modern Gal’s tips for finding awesome or at least good gifts for most anyone on your list.
1. When I don’t have an idea for someone, I think of all the stores I know and identify stores that person loves or should love. I then go to that story and scour everything they have until something strikes me as a great gift. You’d be surprised how often this works. If you can’t find anything, get ’em a gift card there and pair with some small item like a pair of socks if you’re at the Gap or a tool if you’re at Home Depot.
2. Regional gifts are great for people who don’t live in town. I claim Memphis and Nashville as my homes. Elvis is my homeboy, and he’s a great source for gifts now that Elvis Presley Enterprises has gone so frickin’ commercial. I got Elvis wine for a party I attended and Elvis hot chocolate for a certain sweet tooth I know. The Grand Ole Opry shop has fantastic gifts as well. Every city and town has it’s own local flavor, and there’s always a shop that sells that unique flavor.
3. Events. Many people in this day and age have more stuff than they need or can fit into their living space. So give them an experience. Tickets to the theater, movie passes, restaurant gift cards, dancing lessons, whatever. Give them something that doesn’t take up space.
4. On that same note, fancy fixins’ for foodies. Food items are also good for the people who have everything because food can easily be consumed. Go to your local fancy grocery like Whole Foods or World Market and get specialty sauces, spices, snacks, etc. World Market is actually my go-to gift store.
Try to get your shopping done now before this coming weekend. It will be hell out there come Saturday. I’d rather gouge my eyes out and listen to “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” than be stuck with a shopping list on the 22nd. And plot out your route before you go!
P.S. I’d love for you to share your clutch gift shopping tips and go-to spots!
the interweb is my saving grace at christmas. just google “unusual christmas gifts” or “crafy christmas gifts” and watch the magic unfold. i also like to give to charity in a person’s name and then just make a really cool card for them.
Words I never ever thought I’d read, much less from you:
“Elvis is my homeboy….”
Wow.
That’s what I need at 4 a.m.
Yes, the gift of giving is the greatest gift of all!
And having just googled “unusual Christmas gifts,” I think that’s also a great time-waster and perhaps the nexus of a drinking game.
My trick, which I just discovered a year ago, is to let my wife do all our shopping for us.
Oh Herms, would that we could just pawn off all our responsibilities on others 🙂