After your clan finishes the Butterball turkey, the leaves change color and fall, signaling the start of winter, the most amazing time of the year comes … early Christmas shopping! Who doesn’t love Christmas shopping? Nix the long lines ad constant shoving from lazy late shoppers and hearing, “I’m sorry. I’m afraid we’re out of stock,” from a grinning store clerk bursting out the seams with holiday cheer.

So, here are a few tips for finding that special gift.

1. If you want someone to actually keep your gift and not fear the possibility of your ‘heartfelt present’ being re-gifted in some Secret Santa mess, listen to them. People are different. Find out what they like or what they want in a way that doesn’t involve digging through their garbage.

2. Give them something from the heart. An iTunes gift card may be nice but it isn’t from the heart. That ‘from the heart present’ will be tossed out once the code off the back is entered or the money is spent. A gift card may be a nice possible alternative if you run out of ideas or they asked for one.

3. Try online shopping. Some stores have stuff online that you can’t find in their store. The website might have discount prices and shipping savings if you purchase a certain amount.  

4. Money is the most perfect gift for anybody. Money doesn’t limit your options on where to spend the dough like gift cards. Gift cards can expire. Money doesn’t. Money is the answer. Don’t know if they would like their present? Try money. Not sure what they like? Give money.