Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

By Hannah Goodwyn
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com – Droves of determined shoppers will soon storm the malls of the world. The mission: to find a present for everyone and their sister. And it’s hard sometimes to know what to get that doesn’t fall into the overdone, traditional gifts – a tie for dad, bath salts for mom, and a video game for your brother.

Here’s a list of gift ideas for your adult friends and family that you might want to consider before you start into the always adventurous Christmas shopping mode:

The Traveler

• Fly Away – Purchase a gift card from any airline for whatever amount you determine to go toward a trip of the gift receiver’s choice. Place the card in a photo album that they can put pictures in after their trip.
• Traveling Dreams – Sign them up for a subscription to a travel magazine. Throw in a cushy travel pillow.

The Sports Fan

• Sport Your Team – Get two tickets to a game that your sports fan will love. You opt to go the inexpensive route by getting tickets to a minor league game instead of major league. Wrap the tickets inside a team T-shirt.
• Watching the Game – For sports fans who are also homebodies, get a nice array of snacks they can munch on while they cheer on their favorite team. Buy cheeses, crackers, dips, chips, candies, and whatever else they like to eat. If you want to go the extra mile, find a jersey or sweatshirt featuring their favorite player’s number.

The Entertainment Buff

• Picture Perfect Fan – Log on to eBay.com and search for an autographed photo from their favorite movie, musician, or TV show. Be sure to follow eBay's tips to make sure you get an authentic autograph. Get it framed. Then, buy a DVD of that movie or TV show or the latest CD from that artist.
• Movies Coming to You – Get your friends or family the gift that keeps on giving – a Netflix subscription. They pick the movies that interest them and the DVDs come direct to their house. Put the notice inside a popcorn bucket, along with a couple packets of their favorite flavored popcorn.

The Avid Reader

• Readin’ 'n Snackin’ – Indulge your reader friend with a big basket full of tasty snacks, a handy bookmark, and a gift card to their favorite booksellers for them to enjoy on a rainy day.
• Original Book List – Come up with some great titles that your gift receiver may not have read yet. Attach a gift certificate to the list so they can pick which ones they want to start the year off with.

The Coffee Drinker

• Coffee Goodies – Find a rich blend of a great tasting international coffee (Cuban, Costa Rican, and Colombian – just to name a few). Add a coffee grinder so they can savor the flavors as they make a fresh cup of coffee.
• On-the-Go Java – Give them a big travel mug that will help morning run smoother as they grab and go. Also, supply a great blend of instant coffee and a giant muffin or two for those days they are running late..

The Chocolate Lover

• Fondue for You – Along with a fondue pot and chocolate, provide them with some starters (marshmallows, fresh strawberries, pound cake bites, peanut butter crackers, chilled banana slices, etc.).
• Tasty Treats – Roll your sleeves up and put your pastry chef’s hat on to make a scrumptious array of candies. If you don’t have time to be adventurous, simply find a local candy shop or one online that delivers.

The Outdoor Explorer

• In Your Name – For your environment-conscious friend, donate to a non-profit organization, such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, or adopt a rainforest through the Rainforest Alliance in their honor.
• An Adventure Day – Give them the gift of adventure by supplying them with a gift certificate to go scuba diving or deep sea fishing. For those in colder weather, provide them with a ski pass, or a kayaking day.

Ideas for the Younger Ones on Your List

Gift Cards for Teens. Teens the freedom of choice. Find out their favorite store and get them a certificate, so they can go wild during the post-Christmas sales.

The Chronicles of Narnia. Encourage your nieces, nephews, sons, and daughters to read. C.S. Lewis’ book series is a great gift for young, enthusiastic readers.

Teddy Ruxpin. Remember the fun you had with Teddy Ruxpin? Made popular in the 1980s, this adorable, talking and singing teddy bear will win its way into their little hearts.

When you’re out and about shopping this Christmas, don’t focus on finding gifts that impress, just ones that will truly bless. No matter what you end up buying, remember what’s most important this holiday season – spending quality time with your family and friends and celebrating the birth of God’s Son.