I think everyone has a Christmas list these days and the decision of “what to buy” can be a significant challenge. It’s fun to give a expensive gift or one that might possibly excite the recipient, but the truth is, most of what we give and receive over the Christmas holiday is completely worthless to us.

It can take serious effort to find that perfect give and it’s easy just to buy something, anything. You’ve got a $30 budget and you’ll give a $30 gift. I’d rather just get a gift card than have you simply guess at what I might like. That may sound shallow but it’s honest. I think of my home as a storage box that holds a specific amount of stuff. Currently it’s more full than I’d like which means anything coming in must either replace something or leave quickly. I keep that in mind when I’m Christmas shopping for others and it helps quite a bit.

So let’s see this in action. First, if you’ve got no idea to begin with then the best option my be perishables. You can get something tasty at any budget and they only occupy space for a short amount of time. Okay, longer for others. Consider going for quality of quantity. When you receive a small but fancy box of chocolates you’re probably getting a true splurge. I’m never going to buy a box of Godiva chocolates for myself. It’s just not going to happen. So if I receive one as a gift it’s a small luxury. You’ll be hard pressed to find another $20 gift that I’ll refer to as a luxury.

If you’re better acquainted with the person you’re shopping for then buying something a little more specific may be in order. Instead of adding to their collection or giving them the latest whatever, think about finding something to replace. I gave my father a set of towels a few years back and admittedly it wasn’t the most exciting gift but I knew his towels were straight up raggedy. He could got out and buy towels on his own at any time but he hadn’t. And even though he didn’t jump for joy when he opened that gift I knew he appreciate it later and I can tell you he’s still using them today.

Now I’m not advocating that all your gifts be common household items. I think clever gifts are fantastic but they do require a savvy shopper and often a larger budget. If it’s your wife you may better stick to the jewelry counter but for the rest of us…