Thinking 'Out Of The Box' For The Holidays

Are you at a loss to find a gift for a hard-to-please

person, or someone who has everything?

Personalize it. Everybody has a favorite photo of friends or family members that can be printed onto a calendar, blown up to poster size or mounted in a special frame, so act now and order a personalized gift.

Give a day trip. Consider buying tickets on a bus headed to Atlantic City. You can purchase a package that includes transportation, lunch and a voucher for a casino, in a predetermined amount, that's good at slots and tables.

A basketful of cheer. If you're in the market for someone who is homebound consider a gift basket filled with an assortment of post cards, greeting cards, thank you notes, pens, pencils, markers in different sizes and colors, wrapping paper, scotch tape, packing tape, gift tags, shipping labels, brown shipping paper, postage stamps and other items which can be used on a daily basis by people who love to stay in touch with friends and family. Include a note reminding them that mail carriers will pick up their letters and parcels at their home if they can't get to a post office or a mailbox.

For others who are not so easy to buy for there are baskets of assorted comestibles, drinkables, sweets, bath goodies and much, much more.

Fitness memberships. Local health club, Y's, aerobic, yoga classes could just be the thing for someone who doesn't want to spend the winter just sitting around.

Gift certificates to go with the fitness membership. Sneakers, sportswear and miscellaneous unguents and aromatics could be the perfect surprise for the sports enthusiasts on your list.

Gift certificates for elders. You might also consider checking out the local pharmacy or medical supply shop to see if they have such a thing. This could be a perfect gift for elders who are trying to meet the skyrocketing costs of prescription medications and other supplies.

Gift cards. Most major supermarkets have also gotten into the gift card field. Ranging from $10 to $100, they are usually available at the stores' courtesy desk or check out. Make sure to inquire if they have an expiration date or a fee associated with them before you buy.

The gift that keeps giving. Donate to a charity that you know the person you're donating for supports.

Prepay a course. If you have an aspiring student, young or old, consider prepaying for a course at a local college or specialty school. It's a thoughtful, unusual gift that may pave the way to a new beginning for someone special.-Liz Goff