It most certainly is that time of year, and honestly the most frustrating! Why? Well for me, at least, the older I get the more obsessed I am with giving the people I know the perfect gift! Here are a couple of tricks you may or may not know that I find helpful when looking for a gift for someone that I just can't quite think of something for.
1. Something They Like
The more you know someone the easier this tends to get. Find one or two things that someone likes and look for something in that category. This is even easier when you have something you both like! Honestly though if you just look for a general "I heard you liked things like this and I thought this looked cool" people will enjoy it.
2. "Saw this..thought of you..."
This is a fun one! So say you don't know what they like. Rather than give in and give them ten bucks and shamefully walk away you can think of a moment you shared together (not saying money is a bad gift, just if you wanted to be original it isn't fun to resort to...). Get something little that makes you think of this moment, be it funny, sweet, or just plain cool it doesn't have to be an awful lot. Then take the time to write out to this person WHY you thought of them. I like to draw a little comic or something if I don't have a lot to say ;)
3. A Little of Everything.
Honestly, sometimes I feel one or the other is not enough. I would love to find a gift for someone that is "THE ONE!" just hand them a sticky note for the rest of their lives reminding them that they still constantly enjoy said gift and they are unable to deny such....But.... that is not likely to happen...ever...so I find it fun to gather a little of everything. Something they like, something that makes you think of them, a snack they may enjoy, and heck since it was mentioned earlier a couple of dollars if I have it to spare.
I'm not saying these ideas will receive an overwhelmed response from the recipient, but I can promise that each gift will be received with smiles :)