Holiday Shopping!

Black Friday has come and gone for another year. You survived! You may have even gotten some shopping done. You scan the list of people you are buying gifts for and there, like a little smiling cloud, is the one person on your list that makes shopping feel like an endurance test. Every year it’s the same thing;

- “What would you like for Christmas?”

- “Hmm..I dunno, Whatever, I really don’t need anything.”

- “OK, well..is there anything you’ve wanted but haven’t gotten around to buying?”

- “Umm, Not Really, If I need something I usually get it myself, and if I don’t have it, that must mean I don’t need it. Plus anything frivolous cost more than I’d want you to spend on me.”

- “Well, I’d like to get you a gift, but I don’t want to buy something and have it turn out to be something you don’t have even the remotest amount of interest in and end up moving around for 20 years before giving it away at a “White Elephant” party. So please, PLEASE give me some sort of clue as to anything you might have ever shown interest in but decided not to purchase for whatever reason!”

- “Hmm, I can’t think of anything, I’m sure whatever you find will be wonderful. It’s the thought that counts after all.”

- “%@#$!”


You end up stressing, pulling your hair out, and swearing at snowmen until one day you snap and attack a Christmas Tree display in order to kill that damn chirping bird that seems to be following you all over the store.

Why can’t they just tell you what they want!? Anything, any slightest suggestion will do!

I know about those people because I have been one of those people and I have tried to shop for those people. It’s sort of a mental condition. Honestly, we are not trying to torment you. We just feel uncomfortable asking for things. My mind would go completely blank at the mere mention of Christmas or Birthday wishes. If breathing and circulation were not reflex actions, I’d have been out for the count.

So taking that in mind, I have compiled a few websites where you might find not only something you can buy for that difficult person, but something they will actually use.

Here we go.

The Duluth Trading Company
www.duluthtrading.com
This is THE website for those people on your list who are active at work or at play. They carry some of the most unique items designed for the physically active person. I am a regular visitor to this site for clothing, accessories and accouterments.


Garret Wade
www.garrettwade.com
For the hobbyist or handyman, check out some of the tools available here. Woodworking, Shop tools, Outdoors, or Home & Office, there are plenty of things to get someone who is practical and difficult to shop for.


Think Geek
www.thinkgeek.com
Got a difficult shopper who can quote all 6 Star Wars movies, knows the answer to “Life, The Universe, and Everything” (hint- what’s 6 x 7), and is constantly answering questions about computers for all your relatives? Then head over to this site and go nuts. Anyone interested in Science fiction, technology or computer gaming will appreciate what this site has to offer.


Mom and Pop Soap Shop
www.momandpopsoapshop.com
Hopefully, everyone you know has a desire to be clean. (hygienically anyway, this is an article about holiday gift giving so gifts for the naughty bits you’ll have to handle on your own… Double entendre’ intended) Ahem.. Anyway, I discovered “Mom and Pop Soap Shop” quite by accident. You can read about it here. They provide a large list of high quality hand made soaps for a wonderful, low price. You can select from a wide variety of pre-made soaps or you can custom order soaps to your own specification. I, personally, use their shave soap and it is top notch!!


Urban Outfitters
www.urbanoutfitters.com
“Gosh, I don’t know what to get So-and-so, they have an apartment in the city, they’re kinda artsy and fashionable and I’m at a loss for ideas. Stop fretting! Swing on over to Urban Outfitters and have a look around. They offer a wide selection of unique and fashionable, trendy items for your college student or anyone else who appears hip. I dig some of their Audio/Visual/Computer related items. This is also the only site on the list that features a nation chain of physical locations so you can check to see if there is a store nearby. This may, in fact, be a very good idea. Many of the items on this site are subject to personal taste and something you think might be nifty and chic, your gift recipient may find gaudy and nauseating.

Well, there you have it. Five more options then you had at the beginning of this article. I hope this helps alleviate some of the holiday shopping stress. Remember, when dealing with these sorts of people, you can rarely go wrong with gift cards. A gift card shows at least a little consideration for those people’s interests, and if all else fails, give them some green. Cash is sometimes considered tacky but, hey, you asked them what they wanted and they failed to provide a commercial compass for you. If they think it’s tacky and admonishes you for giving it, maybe Santa will have to make a note on his list!

Please remember to be patient with your fellow shoppers and store clerks, they may not have the luxury of my insights;)
Please try to smile as often as possible. I bit of sunshine from you might brighten someone’s day just enough to see some hope in the distance.
I wish the very best for you and everyone you know and love. Let those you care about know it.

Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays
And may your 2011 be the best twelve months you’ve ever lived.

Sincerely
Chris Koterba