Shopping for the holidays

It's that time of year again -- when we like to make our loved ones even happier by shopping for special gifts to surprise them. I appreciate the holidays more each year and am reminded of how much I enjoy giving presents. I think I have a knack for picking out the right gift for each person, and am overjoyed when I see they are happy to receive what I bought especially for them.

Typically, I'm a direct shopper, meaning, I know exactly what I need and go directly to that store and then depart afterward. This year, however, shopping has been more of an ordeal. It seems like such a big effort to find a place to park, fight the large crowds, only to not find exactly what I need. So I decided to change my thinking and get into the holiday spirit. I needed to set aside some extra time for shopping so that I could enjoy the experience. Now I've been listening to the holiday music playing in the malls and am taking time to notice all the happy people and the glory the holiday season can bring. Rather than being focused on me, I'm waiting to discover what will appear for my friends and am celebrating the spirit of the season with many who are also doing the same thing.

I've been asking myself, "How can I celebrate this person?" I like to show them how much I care about them. My answer is that the joy of having them in my life can be expressed in ways beyond getting them the right gift. This year I plan to take many of my friends and family out for a nice meal. It's fun to spend time with someone I think the world about, away from family obligations, work deadlines and other personal to-dos. We can enjoy time together in a lovely festive dining atmosphere. Finding your own way of giving to those who matter most to you can be a fulfilling transaction for all of those involved.

Naturally, we may still wish to buy gifts for people who help us in other ways -- like your letter carrier or hairdresser, etc. I either buy a little box of chocolates, or a gift certificate from one of my favorite local stores. Be a smart shopper. I'm a total advocate of having fewer things, but better things. Examine what your friends need and remember that less is always more in what they need and how they will use it. Think about the future rather than the past and discover new ideas about what would work best for them.

For those who want to start early with organizing holiday decorations for the New Year, purchase some organizing containers that are all the same kind -- not the same size, but the same manufacturer. They will stack much better and have an over-all pleasant aesthetic appearance.

Since we all will be doing a little shopping this month, be a smart shopper and have a plan of attack before you take the plunge. If not, you may notice that you are shopping more for you than for your loved ones. Have fun.

Lanna Nakone is the author of "Organizing for Your Brain Type" and "Every Child Has a Thinking Style." Her Web site is www.organizedworld.com. She can be reached by e-mail or by calling 524-9896.