The gifts you select are often a reflection of your personal style. Unfortunately, not everyone shares that style, so if you are too specific in your selections they may not appeal to the recipient.

Choosing the right gift is always easier if you know the recipient and what they like.

Who are you buying for and why?

For kids and adults who enjoy reading, a book can be a great choice if you know they don’t have it or haven’t read it yet. A safer choice would be a bookstore gift card or a unique bookmark.

Be sure to check out our book reviews (past and present) and our Author Page,  https://www.thisawfulawesomelife.com/home/2018/2/10/author-page-rrgjf-3xwtb-mk3zd-sl57t-zx4a8-c3tk6-3r3hx-6fn2a-bng4s-m89ml-ywmsn-5z2af-kpj7t-cwk5e-233th-2xp5b-ye76g-zcjk4-zyh89-mddsj-5pr75 to find some exciting new authors and their books.

If you want to do something special for your neighbors, consider starting a free Lending Library in your front yard. First, talk to your neighbors to be sure there is sufficient interest/participation and see what types of books are in demand. Visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/ for more information.

You will need to establish rules to be posted with the box and make them available to your neighbors (flyers and a posting on your community website if possible). Make sure the location of the box is as far from your mailbox as possible, but still in a well lit area and not obscured by bushes or trees. You will need to check the box daily.Keep in mind you will need a weatherproof box with a glass or plexiglass door. Ready-made Lending Libraries (the LFL website has library boxes for sale), kits and building plans are available on the internet. Ready-made Lending Libraries can be quite expensive, kits and plans are more affordable, but you must have tools, time and at least rudimentary construction skills.

The Little Free Library Book by Margret Aldrich is a wonderful resource. Aldrich tells the story of the first Little Free Library.  There are now over 20,000 of these freestanding front-yard book exchanges in 70 countries. She includes stories from LFL owners, a resource guide for successfully starting and maintaining your community lending library and color images of actual Little Free Libraries.

This month we are featuring Red Fish Toys, a small business in New York that makes fun and educational puzzles for toddlers and young children.

If you have little ones to shop for check out their website at https://www.redfishtoys.com/ and be sure to read our Q&A with owner Seyda Dener.

Coffee, tea, hot cocoa blends or chocolates are welcome gifts at my house. In addition to people with chocolate allergies, coffee, chocolates and some teas are poisonous to cats and dogs. If you are giving cocoa or chocolates, be sure pet owners know this.

I stay away from flowers if there are pets in the home. While pet owners can easily store gifts of coffee, chocolates or other food items harmful to pets out of reach, it’s hard to put flowers or plants out of harm’s way. The last thing I want to do is poison someone’s beloved pet during the holidays. See our list of plants and foods that can be poisonous to dogs and cats. Please share this link with your friends. https://www.thisawfulawesomelife.com/home/2018/3/15/pets-and-flowers-by-fran-joyce-lm9f3?rq=Pets.

Supporting local businesses and independent business owners whenever possible is important for our local economies.

I have friends who love to try different wines or craft beers and others who stick with one or two favorites. If possible find out if the person(s) you are shopping for have a preference for red or white wine and what types of wine they drink.

In Pittsburgh, R Wine Cellar Urban Winery is a family owned winery located downtown in the strip district. They source their grapes from all over the world and create their own wines. For more information, visit https://rwinecellar.com/.

Baked goods are a thoughtful gift provided you stay away from anything with nuts and you know about any dietary restrictions of the recipient(s). Bringing treats to share at a party is simpler, but I recommend you provide a decorative recipe card listing the ingredients and stay away from anything with nuts.

Speaking of homemade, soups and fresh bread can be a thoughtful gift. Mason jars with layered ingredients and a recipe card are great for soups, breads, cookies and brownies. You can also make homemade snack mixes such as Chex Mix or Muddy Buddies. Jams, jellies, mustards, cheese and crackers and popcorn are traditional favorites. I have a friend who gives spices and unusual sauces/condiments. 

Always gift food in containers that do not have to be returned unless you see the recipients often and your dish/plate can be easily returned to you. Also, always try to include a list of ingredients or the entire recipe. If it’s a recipe from a cookbook, Pinterest, website or blog, please credit your source. It’s only fair and it allows the recipient to look up other recipes from this person/site.

Speaking of baking and cooking, Pampered Chef has some excellent holiday sales. Finding the most wanted appliances this holiday season, stocking stuffers and teacher gifts, is easy. Whenever I shop, I always make sure to place my order through my independent Pampered Chef consultant, Linda Cahill at www.pamperedchef.biz/lindacahill

Linda who has been an independent consultant for 21 years is a regular contributor to This Awful Awesome Life. Be sure to check out her monthly column, “What’s for Dinner? Ask Linda.”

If you will be attending an ornament party and/or you like to give gifts designed by local artisans, be sure to visit local boutiques or craft shows. You can also visit Etsy and check out the websites of local artists/jewelry designers. One of my favorite artists who also designs jewelry, ornaments and other unique gifts is Audra Azoury. Audra is a Pittsburgh native who draws her inspiration from Pittsburgh steel; the beauty of Pittsburgh architecture inspired by steel and the unique expressions of the people who live in the city. If you live here, you understand. If you don’t, you’ll fall in love with our city one piece at a time. Visit www.AudraAzoury.com to see what I mean.

Gift cards are usually a safe bet. You can stay fairly general (national chains) or find unique stores/restaurants in your area. 

If none of these suggestions become your go to gift idea, consider sharing some of your favorite photos with family or friends on a memory stick/flash drive or you can make up coupons for rides/errands/babysitting/house sitting/housecleaning/cooking/or pet walking and give them to friends and family who might need a little help after the holidays. Be sure to write down what services you gifted to each person and be sure to follow through with your gift.

Remember gifts don’t have to be expensive to be appreciated. Giving of yourself and your time is  the most valuable gift you can give.

Also, consider volunteering this holiday season. Just a few hours of your time can mean the world to a person or animal in need.

Make sure whatever you give is a gift from the heart with no expectations of it being reciprocated and you’ll have a wonderful holiday.