11/27/2007

in

This time around, pick the holiday gift that makes the most sense.

Susie Kopecky

A wise person once said, "You can buy the most expensive gift on the planet, and have it sit in a drawer forever. Or, you can buy someone a simple gift, like a paring knife, and every time they use it, they think of you." Generally the trend has been to buy bigger and better.  
  
This year, make your money go farther and your goodwill reach new heights. Instead of the expensive bauble, consider what your loved one truly needs. A great gift can cost significantly less and help out a friend immensely. Consider the gift of a $25 or $50 gift card to a local restaurant, saving that friend or family member the time they otherwise would have spent cooking after a hard day's work. Check out the local Rite Aide or CV Pharmacy, you'll be surprised at how useful a basic gift there can be. Go to a pharmacy and buy someone a nice bottle of nail polish and a bottle of nail polish remover to accent it. Take a few moments and consider what those around you could really use, like extra time, relaxation and maybe some more socks and undies.  
  
Purchase the gift that will move someone special out of their shell. Go to Victoria's Secret and purchase something fun -- simple, elegant, and if necessary, returnable. Target also boasts an excellent array of gift possibilities. Give a friend a gift card to the superstore and let her spend it on the brand of mascara she's been dying to buy but hasn't found the time or extra cash for. Target also has a sizable undergarment section. Get that family member the comfortable, affordable and most likely returnable winter underwear. Things like these aren't the flashiest gifts, but they hold meaning. And like that paring knife, give a friend a gift from the heart and let them remember how you cared. The greatest investment you can make this holiday season is in your time and good thoughts. Happy holidays everyone.

## Comments


### [That's some great advice.](/features/12438.html#comment-2108)

Submitted by cmarar on 2/7/2010.

That's some great advice. Especially if you pay attention to what that person needs. Most of the time we go for what is convenient for us, but the gift can also be convenient and simple to think of. Just listen to what they person talks/complains about. Just be simple and thoughtful. Regardless of what you give the person, I always say as the quote from my dove chocolate claimed, "Your presence is often the best present." Happy Valentine's day this weekend!

* [Login](/user/login?destination=comment%2Freply%2F200651%23comment-form) or [register](/user/register?destination=comment%2Freply%2F200651%23comment-form) to post comments