Holiday Shopping Tips; 5 ways to give the best gifts ever

Believe me you need some holiday shopping tips. Or you know someone who does (forward this to them!).

I mean how many times have you recieved a gift and said "Wow you shouldn't have" all the while your brain was screaming "what were you thinking, why did you buy this?"

Most people when buying a gift buy you something they think you will like not what they know you will like. And most of the time what they think you will like is really what they like.

Otherwise the invention of the gift reciept wouldn't have been necessary.

I am guilty of buying something noone really wanted I am sure of it. But this is what I wish people would consider before buying for me.

Here are the torontoShopoholic's top 5 Holiday Shopping Tips!

Whether it be while walking through the mall, browsing a magazine or surfing the web the person you are Christmas shopping for has dropped you a hint or two.

The problem is you weren't listening. Likely because it wasn't Christmas season, or you weren't actively gift shopping at the time.

Listen year round for the best holiday shopping tips for whomever you are shopping for this Christmas season.

Instead of looking for where the giftee is hiding that vase you bought them last year take a look at what they have bought for themselves instead.

Throughout the house are items that indicate everything from colour to brands that would be perfect for gift giving.

Its ok look around be nosy!

If you still are stumped after making an effort with tips #1 & #2 ask for a list.

People might be polite at first and say "You don't need to buy me Anything!" but once you insist and remind them that it is a perfect way to get exactly what they want you will get a list.

Don't be surpised if the list is long.

Its ok, you don't have to buy everything on the list.

For example lets say I need to buy a gift for someone who likes to bake.

The next time I am over I might poke around looking at the baking utensils and such to see if there is anything that is missing.

Or I might lead the conversation to baking and somehow ask if there was one thing that would make baking easier what would it be?

Don't worry most people won't figure out why you were asking such weird questions until they open the cool power mixer you got them for Christmas.

And then they will thank you for acting on this holiday shopping tip.

When I was a kid I always hated just getting money. It was no fun I couldn't play with money.

That said I was still into Barbie and it was pretty easy to buy me a gift.

When I got a bit older I still thought it was more fun to get an actual gift, but money was ok too.

Fast forward to today where I actually prefer cash gifts. Money pays my bills, it pays for the gift I bought you.

So if you are buying for anyone in their teens, twenties, or a young family trying to figure out how to live on one salary money is a pretty safe bet.

And yes we accept personal cheques.

Plus if you are always shopping for Christmas gifts you can buy stuff when it goes on sale!

You can buy two fantastic gifts for the price of one if you capitalize on a great sale.