By Raina Kelley
The holidays are upon us and once again, we are in the midst of an economic crisis. Which means that we really shouldn't be wasting our money throwing gifts at people and hoping they like them. It's easy to shop for people when times are good and credit is cheap, but it's when we have to tighten our belts that things get a little tricky. That's why my new motto is "One Perfect Gift" ... all my nears and dears are getting the one thing that's just right for them. We don't have money to throw around on stocking stuffers that'll be in the trash by New Year's Day or things that people will never use but get a kick out of (like any kind of "... of the Month" program). The problem is that sometimes the perfect gift is a bit prosaic, like socks or towels, which runs the risk of offending instead of uplifting. (Think wives and kitchen appliances—unless her heart is set on a blender, you'd better not. Or think pudgy brother and treadmill; unless he begged you for it, he'll be mad that you got him a present that says, "You're a blubber butt.") Therefore, I've gathered up some items that are normally hard to give without causing a family feud, and packaged them as that "One Perfect Gift” with just the right sentiment to deliver along with them. That way, you can get your loved ones what they really want and they won't have to worry that you're sending a secret, highly insulting message along with it.
Editor’s note: The prices listed were accurate at the time of publication. Please consult shopping Web sites for the latest pricing information.
