The holidays rush at us each year and the panic of "what should I give" may keep us tossing and turning at night. It need not be a hassle. It need not be a chore. If you face each holiday gift giving season with a blank look on your face, this information was gathered just for you.

Its never too early to plan for the next holiday season. Make a list from the ideas provided below. Stick to it. When you are in the stores and you have your list with you, you will be armed to stay within your budget and not buy "one more" item that isn't needed.

First things first. What is a gift?

A gift is a freely given token of affection. Because there is no way to put monetary price on a friendship or a love relationship, there is equally no way to price out a gift, dollar for dollar to match the relationship. So get over this notion.

A gift, whether for the holidays or a birthday is a token that represents your affection. There is no perfect gift so you won't find it. But there are thoughtful things you can find to give as gifts as a perfect token of your affection.

Think in terms of the other person's likes

Yes, its fun to be extravagant if you can, but in most cases, giving a gift that fills a need that is particular to the receiver is extra special.

A new set of kitchen glasses in a pretty color
Theater tickets for the cultured
Movie and a popcorn coupon for the big screen lover
A roll of stamps and new notecards for the friend who loves to write letters
Coupon for a massage
Gift certificate for a pedicure
Gift certificate for a favorite restaurant
A basket of lovely smelling soaps
A bucket of sports socks for the athelete
A bucket of golf balls for the golfer

Make it yourself

You don't have to have a degree in art to make up these simple and lovely ideas for homemade gifts. If you can bake, you can make a gift.

A blooming plant for the windowsill in a pot decorated by you
A bucket of fun shaped pasta and a jar or two of homemade spaghetti sauce
Homemade jam or jelly
Homemade salsa and a bag of chips
Notecards created by you with stamping tools
A jar of buttons, threads, needles for a "fix it"
Peppermint candies made in your kitchen
Speciality fruit and nut breads
A jar of flavored coffee creamers
A basket of hot cocoa mixes
Holiday cookies on a pretty plate
Spiced tea packaged in muslin bags and wrapped in ribbon
Candles

Make a batch to give away

If you are planning to give gifts to teachers, mail carriers, merchants, business associates and neighbors, make a plan to mass produce your speciality.

Planning ahead will help with the holiday stress and getting help with your mass production from your family members will help. A few nights in front of your TV while you package up the tokens of affection will help you be able to grin when you hear the holiday music.

Girls, get going!

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