How to Give Christmas Gifts That Actually Get USED!

It's that time of the year: stores are mobbed with angsty shoppers and everyone's to-do list is maxed out. In the midst of holiday-induced chaos, you might find yourself buying random, obligatory gifts for loved ones, simply to check it off your list and move on to the hundred other people you need to buy for. Some quick advice: don't do that!

I know that it's not possible to spend a lot of time planning each gift you give this year, but select a few loved ones from your list and make a special effort to plan those gifts carefully. Specifically, I want you to set aside thirty minutes in the next week and use that time to seriously think about what you could get three special loved ones this year.

You can take this thirty minutes in the car or on the treadmill, while preparing dinner or getting ready in the morning. Ask yourself the following questions so that you choose gifts that the receivers will truly love, appreciate, and USE!

1. What is something they like that they would never buy for themselves?
2. What is a service (e.g, massage, pedicure, etc.) that they would probably enjoy even though they would never arrange to have the service themselves?
3. What is something you could get them that satisfies one of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell?
4. What is an example of a gift they would like that you could search online for a special version of ( an antique version, or perhaps a version from another country?

Nothing drives me more crazy than unused gifts lying around: it just makes no sense. None of us have money to burn, so it's a shame that so many men and women spend hard-earned dollars on so many gifts that go to waste. By taking advantage of a thirty-minute gift-planning session, and answering the questions above, you can make sure that you're spending that gift money wisely!