The holiday season always puts gift giving on everyone’s mind.  Finding the perfect gift can be a very difficult task, especially if the person you are buying for is picky.  This year, finding the perfect gift might not only be difficult but also more expensive than your accustomed to.  An article was actually published on msn.com which analyzes the cost of holiday shopping this year.  In summary, the article compares the hypothetical cost of buying all of the items from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in 2010 with 2009 according to the annual Christmas Price Index determined by PNC Wealth Management.  The result, a 10.8% (approx $9,000) increase in cost this year as compared to last year (grand total for all items approximately $97k).  The shocking part was that the consumer price index only increased about 1.1% and normally the two figures parallel each other.  So what gives?

The article determined that the Christmas Price Index factors in a much smaller group of products that may have increased in price much more than the average cost increase for all products overall.  Specifically, the cost of gold, entertainment and feed have skyrocketed this year.  I guess this means that the holiday gift shopper should cross of gold jewelry, live bands and food as gifts this year.  The good news is that this probably only effects a very small pool of all of the gifts that you planning on purchasing this year.  While you may have one or two loved ones you may be buying a gift for that would include a gold item, it is likely that most of us were not planning on purchasing a lot of food items or hiring entertainers to serenade our loved ones. Nonetheless, the consensus that holiday shopping is getting more expensive year after year provides some valuable food for thought.

Whether you are shopping for large or small items this year, budget is always a factor and the Christmas Price Index is suggesting that this year we may find ourselves coming up short on cash for items typically in our price range.  Therefore, we may have to be a little more creative and a little more reserved picking out gifts this year.  While the tangible items each of you have to purchase this year are going to vary, you may very well need to send out a couple “family” gifts to extended relatives or friends that you wish to spread some holiday cheer to this year.

Typical gifts in the past have always been those tri-segmented tin cans of different types of popcorn, an assorted arrangement of chocolates, or a family pack of cashews that can easily be added to any dinner/dessert table, passed around Christmas morning while gifts are being opened, and easily split amongst members of a household.  These items are often affordable but unfortunately everyone knows that and sends them as gifts.  If you choose to do so you’ll likely be sending a duplicate gift that will have lost its pizazz.  Undoubtedly, it’s the thought that counts and sending a gift is still a nice gesture regardless of what it happens to be, however, there are a couple other items that are of the same price range that are not nearly as played out as popcorn, peanuts and chocolates.

For any of you that are unaware, let me introduce you to the new best edible arrangement.

Family Gift - Edible Arrangements

The assorted fruit arrangement along with a few pieces that are chocolate covered are becoming a hot commodity but still relatively low on the radar in terms of family gift options.  There are a lot of families that would love to receive this as a gift due to it’s gorgeous nature and the easy to please selection of fruits that are sure to give everyone an option to choose from.  Where some might be allergic to peanuts, or simply steering clear of chocolates, popcorn or other snack items this holiday season, fruit is a perfectly healthy gift option that is aesthetically pleasing as well as appetizing.  There’s always room for fruit and the option shown above will allow everyone to have a try at a cost as little as $30 or $40 while arrangements around $100 or $200 are fit to handle a family reunion.  Regardless of what your intent is, these arrangements come as little or as big as you need to be the perfect family gift deliverable.

Moving away from food items, one item in particular that I’ve always loved being part of the holiday season are holiday wreaths.  I think they fit perfectly with the very essence of what the holidays are all about.  Decorating is generally a multi-person event thus bringing family and friends together. Nowadays, every time I drive by a house with a wreath on the front door I instantly crack a smile thinking about what that wreath ultimately means to the person that put it there.  Whether they debated with others on the style they wanted, the color or the particular placement is all things they probably did but ultimately did together.  I definitely remember the chaos involved just to place one decoration in my house because everyone in my family had their own idea of style.  While my parents were practical and thinking about their utility bill, the youngest of us kids just wanted to blanket the house in lights.  No outlet could go unused.  Thinking about how big a deal we made the holiday season out to be reminds me just how big of a deal the holiday season really is.  It’s the one time where if you have family you try your hardest to be with them.  If you have best friends it’s the time of year where you usually reunite with them.  For these reasons and many others, decorating the house to dress it in the holiday spirit is one of my favorite times of the year.  The holiday wreath has become the staple centerpiece to holiday decorating.  Therefore, I think every house should have one.

Holiday Wreath

Aside from being decorative, they are easily customizable, favorably scented and spread holiday cheer to any area they are placed in.  In the past I never thought to give one as a gift, but there happen to be quite a lot of households that have room for an additional wreath.  While most put one on their front door or near the stockings hanging on the fireplace, there are a seemingly endless supply of walls within a household that can accommodate a wreath.  This ensures that your gift can be used, hung on display, and ultimately appreciated by the family that receives it (and the guests they entertain).  It’s a conversational piece that will put you in the center of a discussion that you might not even be in attendance of.  If you get an artificial wreath, you are giving a gift that is likely to be used repeatedly each holiday season giving the family a constant reminder of you and your thoughtfulness each time they see it. (Just don’t pick out an ugly one because it will get buried in the basement for the next several years along with the rest of holidays misfit toys and decorations.)  If you see your wreath made its way onto the front door of the house you sent it to, you know you’ve done well.  Holiday wreaths can range in price from very inexpensive to very expensive.  You shouldn’t have a problem finding one that is suitable for a reasonable price.

Ultimately, if you want to get someone special a gift this year but don’t really have the financial means to get the gift you want, you can make a charitable donation in their name for whatever you can afford and it is sure to be well received.  You will show that special someone that you truly understand the real meaning of the holidays. The charity that receives the donation will make good use of it and find a way to stretch each dollar the most efficient way possible.  Everyone involved will have made a difference in the life of someone in need and there is no price tag on that.

There are only a couple options above, but there are a ton of more options that are creative and unique that can be really appreciated.  Ultimately, it really is the thought that counts.  So don’t stress out shopping for the perfect gift. In the end, if you can spend time with your loved ones that is what they truly care about.  Whatever you decide, may you, your friends, and your family be safe this holiday season.