THE JOY (& ANGST) OF GIFT GIVING

What do a jigsaw puzzle, pearl earrings, a gaudy gold picture frame, and an electric teapot have in common? They're gifts that people said were among the best, or worst, they'd ever received.

 You'd likely never guess which gifts were best and worst: The pearl earrings bombed because the giver hadn't noticed that his girlfriend didn't have pierced ears. The gold picture frame was a hit because the husband noticed his wife admiring it in an antique store on their vacation.

 Gift giving is a ritual filled with love and angst. We want to “get it right,” but we don’t always know what they want and can’t always afford it when we do know.

 Ideally, you’ve spent all year noticing what your loved ones and friends like. But if you haven’t been doing that, and you're still wondering what to get, then perhaps you can reflect on some of their favorite places and activities.

If she loves dancing, maybe buy a t-shirt from her favorite dance club, and combine it with a gift certificate. If he loves playing the guitar, maybe a new leather guitar strap stamped with his name.

 With kids, it can be harder to please them if they want something you can't afford. In that case, you may have to manage their expectations ahead of time, giving them a budget to work within. Then they’re sure to find something they’ll love, and you can afford.

 I hope you found these thoughts helpful. I wish you all a joyful gift-giving season that hits the mark every time!