Gift Wrap-up

Wrap-up


So now, after weeks of my in-depth coverage, you should all be more than prepared for the gift giving season. But just in case (and really it seems incredibly unlikely) that I failed to cover someone on your list, here's a few more tips:

1. Gift cards - If you still can't come up with something to buy for someone, get them a gift card. The best choice is a card to your favorite restaurant, especially if they don't like your favorite restaurant all that much (feign ignorance of this fact.) In all likelyhood they'll take you out to dinner with it. If it's for your significant other, movie theatre gift cards also work.

2. Charitable cards - These are similar to, but much cheaper than, the Christmas cards which read "A donation to [insert charitable organization here] has been made in your name." You really could do anything from "An old woman has been walked across the street in your name" to "40 hours of community service as a required part of my sentencing will be completed in your name."

3. Regifting - Superior to nongifting and ungifting, and just as cheap. This is a great option, especially for last minute gift giving.

Which leads us into:



The Idea-book Holiday Gift Getting Guide

If you're giving gifts you're bound to get a few too. Here's a few tips:

1. Display excitement no matter how terrible the gift.

2. If there's no gift receipt, be sure to say something along the lines of "Wow! Where did you ever find this great gift?" to make it easier to return later.

3. If you are unable to return the gift, be sure to label it with the giver's name, so as to avoid the embarrassment of regifting it to them later.

4. If it's a knick knack or plaque of some sort, they're probably going to expect to see it when they visit. Unfortunately you can't regift or return this sort of gift. Instead, make a crappy-gift organizing box with different compartments for each giver, so that the knick knacks can easily be distributed around the house when they visit.




Check back January 2008 for the News on the Fly Year In Review.




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Gifts for the Young Girl

So many things to buy and time's a running out. Here's great last minute gift ideas for the young girl on your list

	I've got a lot of money to spend on this person a Zoo Ponies just don't cut it anymore. Go for an entire menagerie of animals: Buy a zoo. Estimated price: $100 million
	I'm broke Whorz doll Bratz is so last year. Make sure the young girl on your list has the latest in hip dolls. Estimated price: $19.99
	No, Really, I'm broke Treasure Pony Map Little girls always want ponies. Hand draw a map leading to a mythical treasure pony, and then spend all day searching for it.Estimated price: free

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Gifts for the Tweenager Girl

Keep her happy or she'll get pregnant.

	I've got a lot of money to spend on this person iPhone OMG! Who loves to gab and check the weather simultaneously more than a female tweenager? Like, no one.* Estimated price: $399
	I'm broke eyePhone Mobile phone and goofy glasses all in one. Perfect for the tweenager with a sense of humor. Estimated price: $24.99 with mail-in rebate
	No, Really, I'm broke Box from Best Buy I wouldn't have thought the whole "getting a box as a gift" thing would work for this age group, but according to the Best Buy commercial I saw tweenager girls go nuts for it. Get a box for free from Best Buy. You may have to buy something for yourself to get it, but you can always return that if you need to pay the water bill.Estimated price: free

* Except perhaps Al Roker fans.




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Gifts for the Boss

Who's the boss? (S)he's the Boss! Give a gift and you might keep your job.

	I've got a lot of money to spend on this person Tickets to Cats Wow! What a musical! Who wouldn't die to see Cats? Delight your boss with primo seats and maybe (s)he'll bring you along! Estimated price: $300
	I'm broke Manage Better: Page-a-day Calendar Remind your boss that nobody's perfect, and that (s)he could pick up his game a bit. Reminders come daily! Estimated price: $12.99
	No, Really, I'm broke Slack off less Do actual work around the office. No more slacking. The boss might even notice it and reward you monetarily for it. For instance, instead of writing a blog at work, write a report. Estimated price: decreased "me" time

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Gifts for the Presidential Candidate

It's the candidate's last christmas before the elections. Make it count!

	I've got a lot of money to spend on this person Move to Florida Everyone knows that presidential elections all come down to votes in Florida, so the absolute best thing you can do is to move there and vote. Estimated price: $1000 and up
	I'm broke Crazy Hair Powder Although Lincoln wore it famously, beards are typically campaign killers for candidates. Thus, this crazy hair growing powder will be the perfect thing for your favorite candidate to sneak into his or her opponent's water at the debate. Works particularly well to discredit Hillary. Estimated price: $14.99
	No, Really, I'm broke Flag Pin Make this attractive safety pin flag adornment, because we know a candidate is not electable without it. The handmade nature of it will also show that your favorite candidate is in touch with the common American. Estimated price: $2.00 in supplies

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Gifts for the Neighbor's Dog

Don't forget your four(in most cases)-legged friends!

	I've got a lot of money to spend on this "person" Real Human Skull Upgrade your favorite neighborhood pooch's chew toy up to the real thing. It's also sure to freak out the rest of the neighborhood, an added bonus. Prices range from $300-$400 dollars online for the premium died in China ones. Estimated price: $349.99
	I'm broke Inflatable Haunted House Grab one of these on super Halloween markdown clearance, and your neighbor's dog will be living like a king. These should be real cheap by now, and who knows, you might find it marked down to a dollar. Optional: spray paint it to disguise the fact that you shopped in the clearance bin. Estimated price: $20.00 or less
	No, Really, I'm broke Dog Sweater Either knit it yourself (which is unnecessarily time-consuming) or shrink one of yours. If you dislike the dog, and it's a male, make sure the sweater is extra girly like the one pictured here. Estimated price: close to free

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