Gift #27 - Massage

So many of us work on the computer, stand up all day, or have mental stress that causes us to be tied up in knots.  Help your friends and family relieve those knots with the gift of massage.  As a designer, my neck and shoulders get all tied up, but the Homedics Neck Massager with heat relieves the pressure.  There are over 30 different types of massage tools to relieve specific areas such as foot spas, back massagers, and high end chairs to sit in.  (See all at Homedics)

Not sure if the person might have one of these machines? Then giving an hour massage with professional hands, slow music in a relaxing spa, will surely make them the happiest.  *At the spas they sell neck pillows ($17) that you put in the microwave to heat.  These are a great gift that travel well and are great at relieving some stress, naturally.

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Gift #26 - Tickets

Tickets!  Anyone got tickets?  A great gift to give to family or friends are tickets.  Tickets to a sports event, concert (see Elton John and Billy Joel perform their Face2Face Tour), or my favorite - plays.   

Local playhouses have season passes such as the Laguna Playhouse Theatre. You can choose a package of plays to attend throughout the year. Start a new tradition by seeing a play every year with someone special.

Ice shows and Circuses are great events for kids to see and experience. Check out the Live Dinosaur Experience. The show is available at many venues across the US and sells out fast.  

Tickets are a great gift, and although they can't use it right away and the price is sometimes steep, 

the experience is a memory to cherish. 

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Gift #25 - Games

Do you want to play a game?  There are so many to choose from nowadays due to the mediums in which we can play on.  My favorites are the games the entire family can play.  Starting with the traditionals, Password (also available on DVD), Yahtzee, Scrabble and Sorry. (These should be a staple in everyones home.)

For the trivia, sports or movie buffs in your family, SceneIt and Trivial Pursuit are great games that have special editions and updated versions sold every year.

For the new Wii players and entertainer wannabes, RockBand 2, will be released in January.  You can download songs to play that everyone in the family knows, versus being limited to what RockBand 1 offers.  Shaun White's Snowboarding is a great gift for teenagers, whereas Mario Kart is perfect for ages 6-60.  

What are your favorite games not listed here?  I am always looking for new ones.

As a hostess gift, pick up a set of TABLE TOPICS and help the conversation along at the next dinner party.

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Gift #24 - Nature and Nuture

We need food to survive so why not give the best there is.  

Harry and David has the most succulent pears, tasty treats, and decadent chocolates (Have you ever tried their Moose Munch?)

Purchase a fruit of the month club for your parents or grandparents - they come in 3, 6, 9 or 12 month packages.

Trees and plants need food and love to survive and are a perfect gift to give to a nature lover. Jackson and Perkins sells beautiful azaleas, wreaths, gardenias, and decorated trees.

If you want to order either of these for the holidays, December 17, is the last day to get them.  

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Gift #23 - Pajamas

PJ's, Pajamas, Nighty - whatever name you prefer, sleepers are always a great gift to give to someone of any age.   Sending a Pajamagram is the easiest way and the styles and fabrics are plentiful.  Right now the value couldn't be better with the specials they are offering for the holidays.  So give a pair of PJ's to a child, a friend, a father, a sister, or a niece -because everybody needs to sleep.  

Another idea:  How cute would this be for a holiday card photo?

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Gift #22 - Lessons

All of us are a work in progress and until we are no longer here, we can always learn more and do better.  So why not have fun and give a lesson to somebody.  Golf lessons are especially helpful for dads, husbands, and grandpas.   Music, instrument, or art lessons are great for kids who are figuring out "who they are going to be."  And if any of you husbands and wives want to rekindle your romance, dance lessons are a way to spend time together, closely. Check out your local city, college, and newspaper guides for the best way to learn a new skill.

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Gift #21 - Candles

Candles are a great gift to give and Illuminations is the place to shop. (Currently they are offering 50% off on most holiday items.) If you want to give a holiday candle, try the Christmas Tree Scent  or the Cinammon Scent. To be safe, the Vanilla Scent is always pleasant and goes with decor all year long. Check out the new scented candle called Cookie. It makes your home smell like you just finished baking and is completely "calorie free."  

A new candle as well as a new home business opportunity is Scentsy.  

They have no wick, no flame, no smoke and no soot. Some of their fragrances are Sangria, Mediterranean Spa, Herb Garden, Vanilla Walnut and Cinammon Cider.  Have a holiday party and try them out!

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