Once Halloween is over, I begin thinking about the holidays and gift buying. There are a lot of people on my list, and it’s helpful to spread the purchases over a number of weeks - not only to ease the financial cost, but to save time and reduce my stress level.

When I was young, my father would give me and my siblings a Sears catalog and ask that we earmark the pages, circling the items that we’d like to have for Christmas. He wanted us to pick ten items of varying prices. That reduced his stress level because then he knew exactly what we wanted. Plus, he didn’t have to guess at colors or sizes. You might wonder if that took all the fun out of it for us knowing the items we were going to get. The fact is I would spend hours pouring through that catalog, which was great fun. And as presents were being opened on Christmas morning, there was still an element of surprise since I was never sure which of the ten gifts from my list he decided to purchase.

The modern day approach to earmarking Sears catalog pages can be found on Amazon. For those who have an account, one can create lists and share them with others. Unless it is your spouse or children or a person with a wedding or baby registry who is comfortable sharing a list, you’ll likely be on your own when it comes to figuring out what to buy for someone.

If you are stumped and need ideas, below are some items you might consider buying for the people on your list! No catalog needed.

And if you need additional help, in the article It’s the Thought that Counts, I outline some tips to consider when choosing a thoughtful and appropriate gift.

For the sports-enthusiasts - A pickleball bag to hold rackets and balls is a wonderful gift to give to a friend who loves the game. What golfer couldn’t use a set of golf balls? For the kayakers and boaters in your life, a dry bag is a must. Phones and other items are kept safe and dry inside, even if toppled into the water. For those who enjoy winter sports, whether it is skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing, keeping a phone charged in the cold temperatures can be a challenge. A thermal phone pouch is a great winter gift.

For those who like to garden and birdwatch - A gardener always needs a new pair of gloves, or you might consider a kneeling bench or gardening tools. Or maybe even organic herb seeds for planting indoors or out. Hummingbird feeders and birdhouses are great gifts to give to the person who enjoys watching birds in the backyard.

Gifts for Health and Wellbeing - Tea Forte has delicious tea, and a fancy gift box makes a great presentation. When it comes to giving a gift that promotes health and wellbeing, you might consider aromatherapy items for the shower or candles. Most women carry a small tube of hand cream in their purse and a set of them makes a great gift.

Practical and Useful - Practical and useful gifts that make a person’s life easier or assist with everyday activities are always welcomed. For those with reduced hand strength, a jar or bottle opener might be a thoughtful gift. It is nice to have a box of assorted cards and stamps at the ready to reduce having to make a special trip to a store. And who couldn’t use a handy book that holds all of your passwords or a handy book that keeps track of all your subscriptions so you know when yearly fees comes due?

For the travelers in your life - Items that make a traveler’s life easier are great gifts to give. Packing cubes reduce space and keep clothes organized. Weighing luggage at home gives confidence that it won’t be over the limit when put it on the airport scale. How about a book about travel? And for those that cruise, kayak or go on trips near the water, giving a waterproof case for a phone is ideal.

Fun and Games - Adult legos make ideal gifts, and as I wrote in Legos Aren’t Just for Kids, health benefits abound for those who put together legos or work on puzzles. White Mountain puzzles are of high quality and can be chosen based on a person’s interests. For a dog lover, you can find a great puzzle of dog breeds. The one shown below is of a camper and is a great gift for those who like to do puzzles and who love to camp. Adult coloring books and pencils make for wonderful gifts, since they help with reducing stress. A Reader’s Digest book containing a collection of their funniest stories and jokes will bring joy and laughter.

Hopefully, these ideas create inspiration and makes it a bit easier to find gifts you are happy to give.
Happy Shopping!