Got gifts?

Check out our list if you need some ideas

By HOLLY DAVIS NH Mirror Staff

We all know at least one person who admits to having all of their Christmas presents bought by the first of November. Let’s be honest, nobody likes that person.

No, we prefer the people who are more like ourselves. The kind who put off shopping until they just can’t wait any more. The kind who get stuck in hour-long lines at the mall. The kind who end up getting dad a tie – again – because we didn’t start looking for something else early enough.

Let’s try this year to be better – or at least more thoughtful – gift-givers. We compiled a list of some presents we’ve given or received in the hope that it will spark some new ideas for you and the people on your gift list this year.

• Time. Instead of buying each other gifts, try planning some time together with friends at the spa or setting up a monthly lunch date. You can skip the gifts, but still get to see the people on your shopping list.

• Hire a personal chef. Not everyone likes to spend time in the kitchen. Maybe your cooking-challenged friends or family members would like to have a special dinner prepared just for them.

• Start a scrapbook. Find a nice scrapbook, get together some photos and you’re halfway there. Start with a main page idea, such as the giftee’s wedding, family or pet. Once you put the first few pages together, package it up. Let the giftee know that more pages will come in the future. Not only are you giving a great gift now, but you also will know what to get this person for the next few gift-giving occasions as well.

• Themed gift baskets. Find a big, sturdy basket, pick your theme and hit the stores. Maybe you want to supply everything for the perfect breakfast, including pancake mix, wooden spoons, maple syrup and hot cocoa, or maybe you could put together all the makings for a great movie night, including DVDs, popcorn, candy and a cozy blanket. Other themes to consider are bath and body, stress relief or book club (featuring a number of titles from the giftee’s favorite authors).

• Baked goods. An oldie, but goodie. Nothing says “Christmas” like a tin filled with homemade cookies. Get festive and try a new recipe or maybe bake brownies or small loaves of breads such as pumpkin or poppy seed. Homebaked goodness never goes out of style.

• Make something. So many people these days have a wealth of creativity that is just screaming out to be used for holiday gifts. Do you paint? Create jewelry? Knit? Quilt? Make candles? All of these talents can be used to make great personalized and unique gifts. If you haven’t found your muse, fake it! Craft stores such as AC Moore and Michaels have kits for anything you can think of with instructions that make everything so easy. Pick one you like and get crafting.

• Compile a cookbook. If you’re the chef or baker of the family, there are most likely plenty of people who would love to know your secrets – if you’re willing to part with them. Get together some of your favorite and most popular recipes and put them into a book. This would be easy to do on your computer. Just print out the pages, and you’re good to go. As an alternative, you could find a recipe box that you like and write a few of your favorites onto the cards.

• Create a photo book. Online services such as Snapfish.com take your photos to the next level. If you have a number of photos, for instance, from an anniversary, or of a friend’s new baby, it’s easy to put these photos into a medium that will last a lifetime. You can upload these photos, create the book and have it printed, bound and sent to you. There is a variety of different projects to choose from, and the prices are extremely reasonable.

• Make a donation. For those who say they don’t “need anything,” consider giving on their behalf to those who do. As the weather gets colder, donating winter coats to those in need can make a big difference. Check with the local Salvation Army or Goodwill to see when the best time for drop-offs is.