Have you been thinking and thinking of what to get everyone on your gift list? Are there some people who are impossible to shop for? Are there some you KNOW will return your gift, no matter what you get? And what about the person who really seems to have everything and needs nothing more?

Here are some suggestions to make your gift-giving dilemma easier. It might help spark an idea that you can use, or give you exactly what you need to get out there and complete your gift giving task.

For the person who has everything - give an alternative gift, of a donation in his name - to a charity or a good cause. Many people find it heart-warming to receive a card which states he is named a contributor toward a fund. Just be sure it's one he has a good feeling about - don't give a cow to a poor family in a third world country, if your gift recipient has any ties to a country which considers cows sacred. Use common sense, or perhaps give him a choice of 3 to pick from, and complete the donation afterwards. Or give a gift certificate - he can choose something at his leisure and when the mood hits him.

For the very picky person - the one who always returns your items and complains every year - get a gift certificate to a store you know she has in her town. Make it a generic store of an interest she has - perhaps an upscale clothing store, or a WalMart, or a computer store. You might just give money, as well. Or go ahead and take a chance on buying something - but make sure it's easily returnable, and from a store she would shop at and is in her area.

Teach your children to make gifts for others - there is nothing like a gift from the heart. This skill is all too often lost these days, and we must bring it back. Kids need to feel like they accomplished something, and be proud of what they can do. Most people appreciate this, and if they don't - they are too highly dependent on "things." You might even find it to be relaxing and wonderful to make your own gifts, too. You can make a painting, a liqueur, cookies and treats, gift baskets, pasta, a recipe booklet, something you can sew, a craft item, or something that goes along with your skills. 

If you are determined to figure out what to buy for everyone, below are suggestions and ideas for you to work with: 

For:

• Mothers - kitchen items, home décor, home furnishings, gardening supplies, jewelry, an oil painting reproduction of a child, wine, gift basket, cosmetics, flowers
• Fathers - satellite TV, football passes or other game tickets, tools, sports equipment and clothes, other clothes, wine, home security product
• Toddlers - personalized books and tapes, blocks, dolls, learning toys
• Kids 4-12 - games, computer games, books, personalized books, clothes, dolls, scooters, bikes, coloring and drawing items, Harry Potter items, popular movies & books and items
• Teens - posters, popular games, popular fashions, movie passes, a phone or cell phone, cell phone minutes, drawing equipment, car parts, car insurance, Lord of the Rings items 
• Girlfriends - jewelry, flowers, personalized keepsakes, music, candy 
• Boyfriends - tools, car parts and items, music, chocolate, movie  
• College Students - posters, goody baskets, textbooks, a sports pass, parking pass, quarters for laundry, ZeBug container, clothes, a book of pizza coupons, stamps, Internet connection, cell phone, cell phone minutes, a credit card, personal alarm 
• Grandparents - stationery and stamps, a phone volume adjustment, a book with large print, a magazine subscription, coupons to eat out, invitations to visit you, a vacation
• The Entrepreneur - business opportunities, learning tools and programs, leads, business tools and products, office equipment, a computer or laptop, fax machine, scanner, printer, copier, copy credits
• The Sportsman - fishing and camping equipment, hunting & hiking clothes, ski equipment, ZeBug container 
• The Ponderer  - advice, how-to books and programs, a telescope or binoculars, Discovery Store items, mind-challenge games, lab sets
• The Webmaster or "Wannabee" - a new domain, webmaster tools, graphics compression program, virus detection, firewall, promotion tools, a computer or laptop, a laptop desk for optimal comfort, a cordless mouse or ergonomic mousepad, ergonomic keyboard or other assistance, computer lessons, a web hosting package, a bank of troubleshooting credits
• The Health Fanatic - nutrition products, fitness products and memberships, vitamins, exercise equipment, weight loss or gain products 
• The Hobbyist - hobby equipment, how-to books for the hobby, tools, art supplies 

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