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