There are so many reasons to love the holiday season; I don’t even know where to begin. From the cheerful and catchy jingles of our favorite holiday tunes, to the smells of peppermint, pine cones, and Christmas cookies wafting down the halls decked with boughs of holly, to the holiday lights that twinkle and gleam with the spirit of the holidays—how could anyone not love this season?! There are few things in life that bring as much joy as snuggling up in a cozy sweater and fuzzy socks with a mug of candy cane hot chocolate (that may or may not be spiked with Bailey’s).

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other holiday, everyone has his or her own special traditions that make the holidays extra special. The common denominator that makes the holiday season full of warmth despite the chilly weather, regardless of your religious practices, is the spirit of generosity and gift-giving that marks the end of the year and appreciation for your loved ones. But it can be tricky to find the perfect gift sometimes—so here are some tips that will help you find the perfect present for all those special people in your life!

1. This is the cardinal rule of gift giving—never EVER give money! Giving someone money as a gift basically says to that person “I couldn’t be bothered to think of a gift that you’d enjoy, so there you go, here is what you’re worth to me.” It lacks the thoughtful and personal touch. Giving a gift card is better than money, because it shows you at least thought enough about the person to consider where they would like to spend the money—but still, it’s relatively impersonal and kind of defeats the purpose of a meaningful gift-giving tradition. One of the best parts about gift-giving is that you get to give the person something that they wouldn’t ordinarily get themselves—it’s a chance to show them how much they mean to you!

2. Keep the gift recipient in mind. Consider the recipient’s interests and hobbies and try to think of a gift that reflects the thought you put into it—thoughtfulness is more important than a hefty price tag! In fact, Dr. Francis Flynn, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University claims, “Our research shows that while gift-givers think they’re being more thoughtful by picking out expensive gifts, the recipients don’t appreciate the hefty price tag.” The recipient of a gift is much more likely to remember and appreciate your present if it is tied to their interests—have a friend who is obsessed with a certain TV show? Get her the show on DVD! Does your boyfriend live, eat, and breathe for his favorite sports team? You can’t go wrong with anything that has that team logo on it! Does your sister-in-law consider her dog or cat to be like a child to them? Throw together a pet gift set—chew toys, treats, and a bed. These are just a few examples of how you can use people’s interests to pick a perfect present for them!
3. In general, experiences > items. Getting someone tickets to an event, concert, or festival gives the recipient a chance to make some amazing, once-in-a-lifetime memories, and memories almost always beat material objects that might get tossed aside or forgotten. Instead, give someone an experience they won’t forget!
4. When all else fails, something unique shows you care! For those of you that love to travel or visit unique/historical places, an excellent tip is to pick up a little something that is distinctive to that place. Whenever I travel abroad, I always buy a couple items that aren’t for me, but that I can save to give as a gift for whenever a gift-giving occasion arises. An equally unique gift option is to show you care with a DIY project—there are literally thousands of thoughtful DIY gift ideas that you find on Pinterest or Buzzfeed. These types of unique items make perfect gifts for that person who truly stumps you when it comes to getting them a present. The beauty of these gifts is in the fact that they are truly one-of-a-kind, which is always more charming than a generic present that could be found at any store.

5. Gift-wrap and personalize with a nice card. No matter what you end up choosing as a gift, even if it is money or a gift card, always take the time to nicely gift-wrap it and leave a personal note or card. Even if your gift-wrapping skills are limited, just use a gift bag—not wrapping a gift sends a message that you barely cared enough to get the person a gift in the first place and that kind of undermines the entire point of gift-giving. A little goes a long way in this respect and presentation is everything. Wrapping a present with care and love is what turns a basic item into a priceless gift.

I hope you enjoyed my tips! As always, if you have any tips you’d like to share, put them in the comments below!