Please stop besmirching the good name of my favorite gift category–food gifts.  Quit sending the boxes filled with processed cheese spreads that are mostly chemicals and the unidentifiable tubes labeled as some sort of sausage.  Quit giving away those fruit baskets that are cushioned with tissue paper in an ugly box that takes up all that space in my recycle bin.  Those of us who live in the north can get apples and pears with real flavor every fall.

Despite my heretical words, above, I love good food gifts.  I love giving them and receiving them.  But when I send a food gift, it is given with thought and is always high quality; please return the favor.  Oh, and by the way, high quality is not the same as easy to buy from a temporary, seasonal kiosk in the mall.  Food gifts require the same thought as any other gift category.

Instead of the mostly chemical box from the mall stand, think about a selection of gourmet cheese from some cheesemaker who actually understands what cheese is and what it can be.  Join me in endorsing the thankless labor of goats and cows rather than joining the chemical additive bandwagon.  I would love even a small gift such as that more than the biggest box of the fake stuff that your mall displays.

A beautiful wine giftbasket

See?  If you give a little thought to a food gift, you can avoid the line at the mall kiosk and save the heavy fruitcakes and fake cheese boxes for other shoppers.  Join me at home some evening, shopping from the Internet.  Just remember that you’ll have to bring your own wine, but I’ll supply the real cheese.

Giftbaskets are soooo last year!  Or is it last century?  Actually, I hope the correct response is neither.  You see, I make my living by selling gift baskets (among other food gifts).  While I agree that it’s not quite the same as being a test pilot or a neurosurgeon, it’s an honest way to pay for tuition for my grandson.  Or at least it would be a good way to do so if more of you bought my products.

I know what you’re thinking: “All of his gift problems are solved; year in and year out everybody on his list gets stuck with another gift basket.”  How dare you think about me in that way!  I actually have the same problems you have in deciding what gift is best for everyone on my list.

I do not give food filled bundles of joy to my entire gift list.  (Well, maybe most it.)  However, even if I did, the choice would still not be easy.  At my store, we offer scores of fruit baskets, gourmet meals, wine gift baskets and far more than that, even.  (I can hear you right now, begging me to tell you where this wonderful store is.  Please be patient.)

Before you bribe me (or threaten me) to share my store location with you, I want to tell you about my own decision making approach.

My first step is to decide on the appropriate category of gift from the many choices.  If Uncle Milton really has managed to eliminate his drinking problem after a decade of trying, then the wine gift baskets are out of the running.  Instead, I’ll opt for a fruit basket with something seasonal.  After years of ignoring the nutritional value of what he consumed, he could use a few extra servings of fruit in solid form.

Dear, dear Aunt Mildred is a great wine talker.  I don’t think she truly enjoys sipping her wine, but she loves to try to impress everyone with what she knows about it.  She loves to let everyone know the best vintage years, the kinds of grapes that are used in various blends and, most of all, how much she spent on the wine you just spilled all over her new carpeting ($95 a square yard).  She’ll get a simple wine gift basket, but I’m not going to spring for the champagne!  (I’m also not going to pay for the carpet cleaning; not after what that cat of hers did to my new coat.)

Everyone in our family, except me, says that my nephew Alfred finally made his girlfriend an honest woman.  I, on the other hand, never doubted his girlfriend’s honesty, but I have some reasons to suspect Alfred.  In any case, they finally got married.  Frankly, it’s about time.  It took him eight years to decide that she was worth parting with enough money to pay for a diamond and another five when he found out that it is customary to pay the minister who performs the ceremony.  What he wants is a check.  There’s no way that I’m satisfying that desire.  His wife wouldn’t get a dime of it.  I’m sending them a delicious lobster dinner for two.  I figure it’s the only way to get that cheap guy’s new bride out of the kitchen for an evening.  (They honeymooned by visiting me!)

My second step, after choosing a category is to select a price range that I’m willing to spend on these people.  Then my wife makes me double that amount.

My grandson is getting the latest video game system.  Let’s face it; he is truly special.

For the little princess in your life these are the best gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

Jewlery making and cooking kits are ranked very high on girl’s wish lists this holiday season. They are also asking for designing games and kits for fashion, art and more. The girls are also wanting games and toys that they can interact with. Now there are even dolls that link to game syatems and let your child have a conversation with them.

Boys this year are all about the music. Guitars, drums even keyboards are are most wish lists this season. Discovery type kits are on boys minds too. Kits that they can actually build and create things are great for the crafty ones and it gets them out from the front of the computer or TV. Even boys are more environmentally conscious this year as they are asking for bikes that run solar batteries and scooters instead of mopeds or mini bikes.

Santa’s toy shop reports that the younger children are most interested in gamesthey can learn from and computers that teach them history, spelling and more in game format. There are also dolls that can do just about anything on the markets today and any little girl would just love one under the tree. Train sets are still a major gift children of all ages ask for and racing sets too. You can always add in some cymbals or drums to complete the holiday time.

Teenagers love anything having to do with music. Whether it be compact disc to MP3’s. You can never go wrong with any of these as long as you get the right songs and groups that are in with their crowd these days. Tarot card kits, cameras and crafting kits are also high on teenagers list of items they would like. They are also coming around to loving anything retro like old records and players too. Remote control toys and kits are a sure way to get your son’s attention during the holiday time of year as will the perfect video game and system.

For kids who are in college or going to college gifts that cure boredom are great ideas. For the more inventive and creative art kits, drawing kits even modeling kits or pottery kits can keep thier hours filled with fun and relaxation. The guys all love to play an instrument because they think all girls love it so any musical type instrument will be the perfect accessory for them this year.

Find out the interest your child has in movies, music and books then load up on their favorite groups, authors and trilogies. They all need to spend more time reading and if its a subject they are genuinely interested in they will want to spend the time to read, listen or watch it.

Gift ideas should come from the heart and should represent the person you are giving them to. No matter the price whether high or low as long as you remember that your gift will always be a success to your loved ones.

Many of us are faced with a time in which some of our close friends and family are enduring tough economic times. Especially in those types of cases, we want to be sure that the gifts we give them for special occasions are put to good use, needed and enjoyed. I have a few suggestions:

A fruit basket is healthy, beautiful, yummy and always enjoyed. If you live near your gift recipient, you can find a lovely basket or other attractive container and fill it with fruit that is in season in your region of the country, obtained at a farmers market, and then fill it out with a few exotic fruits picked up at your neighborhood specialty store. If your loved one is farther away, you can arrange for any of a large range of beautiful fruit gift baskets to be delivered directly to the person’s home. It will help them to reduce their grocery bill that month.

A special meal is another way to remember a special occasion or holiday. One possibility might be to take the friend or family member to a popular local restaurant. If price is no object to you, be sure to recommend a couple of the more expensive entrees on the menu, so that your guests know that they should not worry about ordering what they want. For example, you might say something like, “The crab legs are wonderful here, but, if you don’t like seafood, try the tender and tasty filet mignon.” If they live too far away for that, you can actually find delicious, gourmet, chef-prepared meals online that arrive frozen and can be heated in almost no time. (I actually keep my freezer stocked with these.)

You might also consider a tasty dessert. No person should have too many desserts, but on a birthday, anniversary or holiday, everyone deserves an opportunity to indulge a sweet tooth. Bake cookies, if that is a skill of yours, and hand deliver or have them delivered. For something a little more special consider giving them a freshly baked pie or turtle cheesecake. Whether you make it yourself or have others do the work for you doesn’t matter. It will be appreciated and definitely enjoyed either way.

You’ll notice a common feature in these suggestions. They all involve food. Someone who is going through a difficult time may not want to accept charity, but nobody can reject a genuinely special gift. If it reduces the grocery bill by a bit, so much the better.

Many of us are faced with a time in which some of our close friends and family are enduring tough economic times. Especially in those types of cases, we want to be sure that the gifts we give them for special occasions are put to good use, needed and enjoyed. I have a few suggestions:

A beautiful fruit basket is healthy, beautiful, delicious and always enjoyed. If you live near your gift recipient, you can find a lovely basket or other attractive container and fill it with fruit that is in season in your region of the country, obtained at a farmers market, and fill it out with a few exotic fruits picked up at your local super market. If your loved one is farther away, you can arrange for any of a large range of beautiful fruit gift baskets to be delivered to the recipient’s home. It will help them to reduce their grocery bill on their next trip to the super market.

A special meal is another way to remember a birthday or holiday. One possibility might be to take the friend or family member to a popular local restaurant. If price is no object to you, be sure to recommend a couple of the more expensive entrees on the menu, so that your guests know that they should not worry about ordering what they want. For example, you might say something like, “The crab legs are wonderful here, but, if you don’t like seafood, try the tender and tasty filet mignon.” If they live too far away for that, you can actually find delicious, gourmet, chef-prepared meals online that arrive frozen and can be heated in almost no time. (I actually keep my freezer stocked with these.)

You might also consider a tasty dessert. No person should have too many desserts, but on a birthday, anniversary or holiday, everyone deserves an opportunity to indulge a sweet tooth. Bake cookies, if that is a skill of yours, and hand deliver or have them delivered. For something a little more special consider giving them a freshly baked pie or turtle cheesecake. Whether you make it yourself or have others do the work for you doesn’t matter. It will be appreciated and definitely enjoyed either way.

You may observe that all my recommendationinvolve food. Someone who is going through a difficult time may not want to accept charity, but nobody can reject a genuinely special gift. If it reduces the grocery bill by a bit, that’s just a bonus. To make it even most festive, invite yourself to share in the delights with them!

We all know people who when you pass by the vitamin store in the mall, we’re not surprised to see them browsing the shelves.  They are the health conscious one in the neighborhood, the one we all unsuccessfully aspire to be.  Or, perhaps they’re new to the whole health scene.  Or maybe they represent those among us who are trying to lose those extra pounds…for the third year in a row.  No matter what, we all know someone who is “carb conscious.”  So, when their birthday comes around, it can be challenging to get them a gift that meets their healthy living. But, at least you have a good starting point.  Get your friend something that they’ll actually use and appreciate, or support your newly dieting friend by helping them along their way to a healthier and leaner lifestyle.

One great gift idea, especially for new comers to the fitness world, is to get them a membership to a local health club or gym.  Here you can find up to date work-out equipment that your friend can choose from.  They’ll also find a supportive and well trained staff.  Many health clubs will also offer trainers to guide customers in a work out regime that best suits them.  Getting a friend a membership is a great way to motivate someone to get out of the house and get started on shedding the pounds.  If your friend is already a health nut, chances are they already have a membership, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give them a free month or two at their club of choice.

If a club membership is too expensive, you might think about getting them something else that will aid them in their quest for fitness.  Visit your local sporting goods shop to find inspiration for other appropriate gifts.  Health stores offer loads of ideas that can suit almost anyone’s interests.  You might get them a health guide on the latest exercise trend.  

Just because they want to lose weight doesn’t mean they can’t eat.  Many sports shops will have cook books for the health conscious.    In the same locations, you can also find useful gadgets such as pedometers that can be worn throughout the day to encourage walking instead of riding or the stairs instead of the elevator.

If you’re looking for a more personal gift, one of the best healthy gift ideas you can get is a fruit basket. Fruit can become an extremely healthy habit.  We’ve been learning it since grade school when we first saw the food pyramid.  Fruit is just plain healthy; it is totally cholesterol-free and provides many of the essential vitamins that we all require.  There’s no question that a fruit basket would be loved by your health conscious friend.  There are all sorts of fruit baskets from which to choose, one of which will fit your budget as well as delighting your health-conscious friend.  One exception to keep in mind, however, often people who are just beginning a low carb diet are not permitted fruit.

So regardless of whether your friend is a newcomer to the health and fitness lifestyle or has been active for many years, be certain that your gift is supportive of their decision to get healthy or stay healthy.

Do you happen to know anyone who has been feeling ill for a while? Why not cheer up their day with a beautiful and tasty fruit basket?

Fruit giftbaskets are typically made with various fruits organized with ribbons and  bows to decorate them. Customizing a fruit basket can be easy! Make the gift of a  fruit basket mean more by decorating it with things they like and the fruit they love!

If you know the type of fruit that someone loves, why not fill their basket with that!  Whether it is strawberries and kiwi or oranges and apples, they are sure to love it.  Chose ribbons and bows of their favorite colors or decorate it with small objects that  represent the things that they love in life. Personalization is easy if you know what  they like!

The gift of flowers is a very common gift. Flowers usually set on a desk or counter and look beautiful until the petals begin to wither. While they are beautiful to look at, they will not get the reaction that a fruit basket will. A fruit basket will really be a surprise.

As a gift for someone recovering from an illness, fruit can not only make them feel better by lifting their spirits. Fruit is full of essential vitamins that can aid them in feeling better and recovering more quickly from their illness.

If you are looking for a gift for one of your coworkers, the fruit basket will be a wonderful idea. They can do so many things with the fruit basket that wouldn’t be possible with flowers. They could share the fruit with the office workers, take it home to their families, or even keep it at their desk and have a healthy snack whenever they want one.

Getting a gift for a male boss can be a very tricky thing to do. If you don’t know for  sure what sports team he routes for or what he collects or likes a lot, what do you  get him? A fruit basket is a great idea! He is sure to like it and will appreciate it  a lot more than a nice flower arrangement.

The fruit giftbasket is a very versatile gift and will be appreciated and enjoyed by anyone who receives one. When you are considering gifts for that special someone or for that person that you do not know so well, consider the fruit basket. A fruit basket designed particularly for someone is a very unique gift or just simply make it a collaboration of fruit. Either way, it is sure to be enjoyed!

When the going gets rough, the rough get playful.  I guess that not exactly the way the old cliche goes, but it makes sense to me.  Face it, we’re in a recession, and everyone is feeling at least a little pinched.  But…people are still going to have that annual birthday, the year is still filled with those never-ending greeting card holidays, so can you really just forget about some of our most enjoyable cultural rituals?

When it comes to gift giving, maybe it’s is time to change some of our approaches to what constitutes a good gift.  At the heart of gift giving is the thought, but now the economic conditions give us an extra reason to remember that the cost of a gift isn’t what really matters.  Giving a friend or loved one a token says that you remember them and care about them.  That’s all our message of a gift means, and that it all that needs to be said in the act of giving.

So here is a tip for giving the frugal way:  Think jewelry!  I realize that the word “jewelry” doesn’t really bring to mind the notion of frugality, however what I am suggesting is Italian charm jewelry, and that truly is inexpensive giving at its most fun.  Let me explain.

If you have a friend who has a stainless steel Italian charm bracelet, you can add a whimsical Italian charm to her collection for well under five dollars.  You might even have enough left over for a cute gift bag from the local store.

If she doesn’t have any such jewelry, you can get her started in a fun fashion hobby by buying an Italian charm starter bracelet for well under ten dollars.  That’s probably not even as much as a cup of coffee and a muffin  at the corner coffee shop.  That starter bracelet has the additional benefit of providing you with gift ideas for many years into the future, as you help her build her new collection.

What if that dear relative or friend is a male?  Try an Italian charm keychain.  The starter keychain is around five to seven dollars, and you can add a humorous charm for a little extra cash, and your shopping is finished.  In later years, as your economic life returns to normal, you can splurge for a sports related charm endorsing his favorite professional basketball, football or hockey team, or even his beloved NASCAR driver..

Remember that you don’t have to give up giving or a little whimsy when times get rough.  In fact, this is just the thing to bring fun, rather than high price tags, back into the spirit of giving.