| Holiday shopping can be a lot of fun - when | | | | |
| you're buying for the children, for the | | | | Some of the suggestions in the book (get |
| person who has clearly defined hobbies and | | | | arrested, participate in a threesome) aren't |
| love getting gifts relating to the hobby, for | | | | for everyone. Ignore those. Instead, pick |
| the cook, or the golfer. But shopping for the | | | | some of the more realistic suggestions, like |
| person who already has everything, who can | | | | the list of movies and lists of books. Take |
| buy anything they want, or who can be | | | | the "learn another language" suggestion and |
| especially hard to please, well, that's not | | | | the suggestion to study the Kama Sutra. Build |
| fun. | | | | a basket from there. |
| | | | |
| What do you do for that person? You make a | | | | Here's how it works. Buy items relating to |
| gift basket. You don't buy a gift basket, | | | | some of the suggestions in the book (and |
| because those are too generic and the quality | | | | there are many other books like this, if this |
| might not be high enough for the "he who has | | | | one is a bit racy or not in keeping with what |
| everything" person or the items might not be | | | | you want). So, for "learn another language" |
| just right for the picky person. Putting your | | | | you might buy an English-Spanish dictionary, |
| own basket together means you can get exactly | | | | or for the list of movies to see, purchase a |
| what your recipient will like and you can | | | | few on DVD and put them in the basket. Try to |
| make it unique, creative and personal. | | | | buy as many items as possible that relate to |
| | | | various points in the book. Wrap each item, |
| So, where do you start? Begin with a theme. | | | | and attach a number. As the person opens the |
| For the picky or hard to shop for, there are | | | | basket, they refer back to the book (which |
| a few themes that work. | | | | should be the first item they open and it |
| | | | should be unwrapped) to understand the gift. |
| Movie basket | | | | |
| | | | This gift is always fun for the recipient and |
| One of the most popular basket themes is | | | | the opening of it is participatory. Everyone |
| movies. Everyone watches movies, everyone | | | | wants to see what item comes next. |
| rents or buys them, and it's a nice, relaxing | | | | |
| activity. So if your "has everything" person | | | | Think about your recipient |
| is a hard worker, you can note on the card | | | | |
| that this will help them relax. It's more | | | | Even the person who has everything might want |
| than just movies. You can create a whole | | | | something you can offer. Don't, for example, |
| evening in one basket. | | | | think you can buy high-quality sheets for the |
| | | | "he who has everything" person. They likely |
| Start with an interesting container. If | | | | can and will buy higher-quality sheets. But |
| you're on a budget, by all means, use a | | | | if they love taking baths, that's something |
| wicker basket purchased on sale at a craft or | | | | you can provide right there, a wonderful bath |
| home goods store, or - if you can spend a bit | | | | experience via a basket full of bath items. |
| more -- purchase one of those large bowls | | | | Maybe they love wine and have a large wine |
| that say "popcorn" on the front. This is an | | | | cellar. Any bottle of wine you purchase might |
| excellent base for a movie basket. | | | | not be up to their standard, but if you live |
| | | | in a small wine-producing area, you might be |
| To the basket, or bowl, add some packages of | | | | able to buy a bottle of wine locally they've |
| microwave popcorn, perhaps some movie boxes | | | | never tried. Add some special stoppers and |
| of candy, and a gift card for rentals. If | | | | new wine glasses, and you just crossed |
| you're dealing with a true movie aficionado, | | | | another person off your list with a |
| add a book, like "Movie Lust: Recommended | | | | thoughtful, special basket. |
| Viewing for Every Mood, Moment and Reason". | | | | |
| | | | How do you build a basket this way? It's not |
| If you want to keep building the movie | | | | that hard. Think about your recipient's likes |
| basket, consider adding some newly released | | | | and dislikes. Even the most difficult person |
| DVDs, or some old, classic favorites. Add a | | | | has something they love. Do they love to |
| pair of socks, or warm slippers, some | | | | exercise? Build a basket around that, with |
| packages of hot cocoa, and even a lap | | | | either new DVDs, or some new exercise |
| blanket. If your recipient imbibes, add a | | | | equipment like a new, high-quality jump rope, |
| good bottle of brandy (for "extra warmth") or | | | | a new outfit to wear and a variety of protein |
| a bottle of wine. | | | | bars. |
| | | | |
| Build on a theme from a unique book | | | | Maybe your recipient is an older person with |
| | | | little interests outside of keeping in touch |
| One unique basket idea that's sure to bring a | | | | with the grandkids. How about a nice photo |
| smile to the face of anyone who receives it | | | | album, some new note cards, and a roll of |
| is taking a book and building a theme basket | | | | stamps? Basket it all up with a roll of new |
| around it. Be lighthearted. Consider the book | | | | return address labels and a special new |
| "101 Things to Do Before You Die" by Richard | | | | frame. They'll be thrilled. |
| Horne. | | | | |