Opinion - Rules for gift buying

Christmas has come and past, and once again I have come to relize that buying presents is not as easy as getting them. Here are some tips to gift buying (all of which have been violated recently by my immediate family.)

1. Don't buy someone something that they already have. If you see something that you think is a great gift, just look or ask someone else if the person you are buying for already has the item. This may sound simple but this would have prempted about half my mother's gift buying.

2. Consider the person's interests and don't buy something in a subject that they don't like. This is especially important for books, music and movies. If you are buying music for someone who likes country western, do not buy them a Led Zepplin compilation. If you do not know what the person likes, get a gift certificate or something else.

3. Don't buy someone a present that pushes an agenda. The last gift a conservative person wants is a book making fun of their opinions. People aren't going to be changed by a gift so don't try.

4. Dont ask someone to confirm a gift if you have a good idea. This just gives the gift away and ruins the surprise. Clever phrasing of the question does not help. Don't mention what you are buying to someone before they get it under any circumstances.

5. Don't give the same gift twice in a row. No matter how good a gift it was the first time and even if the person could use another one. It just isn't as good the second time around.

6. Don't give a gift that you expect to be shared with you. Maybe I am just a greedy person but this one just really annoys me when people give you something that they expect to use.

7. Don't give a gift certificate for a store that does not have a location where the recipient lives. Happens every year. I have better things to do around new years than spend gift certificates to local stores that I have no other chance to use.

8. Do be original and go for a surprise. (Good Surprise) Always the way to go.