1. Humor based gifts

I am the type who usually base gifts on humor, specifically inside jokes between friends. For instance, a friend of mine is very finicky when it comes to his car. He is obsessed and has been purchasing the same type of car air freshener for the past 8 years that I've known him. It is called California Scents: Coronado Cherry. His car is filled with cans of this scent. Cup holders no longer hold beverages as Coronado Cherry takes up the spaces. If you just sit in his car for a minute, your clothes, hair and even your skin will smell like cherry. So for Christmas, I thought it would be a great idea to feed into his obsession by getting him a ridiculously excessive amount of Coronado Cherry air freshener. If that wasn't enough, I asked a few of my friends to also buy him a bunch of Coronado Cherry. And so on Christmas morning he woke up to 6 boxes filled with air fresheners and I woke to a text saying, "wtf Joanna"

2. Need based gifts

I think it a blessing when someone give gifts based on needs. Gifts such as socks, underwear, toiletries, dish soap, hand towels and other necessities to supplement your everyday lifestyle. I remember opening a box of panty liners. But not just any pantyliners, they were the "U" brand by Kotex. The meticulous pantyliners that were individually folded in colorful and uniquely designed wraps. As an adult, a broke young college adult, I was very jolly on Christmas morning.

3. Gifts based on memories

Give friends or family presents based on memories you have shared together. An album filled with pictures, a mixed tape. I remember always cooking for one particular friend because I appreciated and was amuse by his genuine reaction to my cooking. He was always the one to try new recipes I came up with and the only person I continuously cooked for. When I came home for winter break, he called me and said "you're back! We need to hang out, I miss your cooking!" For Christmas, I made a little cookbook with all the recipes he liked most that I made so he didn't have to miss my cooking.

4. Gift Cards

Speaking of food, gift cards to favorite restaurants and places to get food are the best. I think the only gift cards that matter are ones that fill your belly. To me, gift cards are the sweetest thing anyone could give. Not only does it say, I care about your health and well being but it also says "I know you well enough to also know your favorite type of food."

5. "Go big or go home"

Some go over the top when it comes to buying presents. A new laptop, diamonds or even a new car for people they really love and they really want to see happy. There's nothing wrong with that. I remember my brother has been asking for an electric guitar for awhile and my dad didn't want to get to it for him because they were really expensive. My brother is an amazing guitar player and he would play for us all the time. My relatives caught on to his passion and on Christmas morning he unwrapped the guitar he asked for. The look on his face was good start for the day.