The best resource I found for finding gift ideas is a book called: The Ultimate Guide to Great Gift Ideas. It has ideas for every occasion and hobby and includes lists of ideas for buying, creating gift baskets, and doing something from the heart. It's really a well thought out book and full of clever ideas.

This Christmas, GIFT it FORWARD.  Aklesia INC, has introduced a T - shirt line that raises money for orphaned kids to go to school in South East Asia.  Every shirt sold, buys a uniform, backpack, or school supplies for children rescued from human trafficking.  This Christmas, buy T shirts for your friends, family, and support an orphan in Southeast Asia to access the education they deserve.  Spend the extra dollar towards purchasing a gift that makes a difference in a child's life.  

www.aklesia.com

I have 2 good friends who live on the other side of the country.  Over the years we have lost touch just from getting busy.  Last year I mailed each of them a mug and some tea bags that I had.  I enclosed a card saying that every 2 months, on the anniversary date of their birthday (the 8th and the 26th of the month) I would call and we would catch up.  It has been wonderful.  I mark it on my calender and despite needing to change the date or time occassionally, I am back in touch with both close friends.  My one friend told me it was her favorite gift she received last year.

Everyone I know already has tons of stuff, including stuff they don't need. What I am doing for everyone this year is donating either clothing, household supplies, or my time to a homeless shelter in their honor. And I am writing everyone a letter telling them how much they mean to me and what I did in their name.

 This way, people who really need something can get what they need and my family doesn't have to wait in the customer service department to return something they don't need or want.

Looking for a way to share the Good News this Christmas?  Check out WHAT ARE CHRISTMAS & EASTER ALL ABOUT?  (http://www.goodseed.com/products/cne-eng-book/)

I am making some of these as we speak!  Basically you just save your dryer lint and egg cartons, then melt down some old candles (which depending on your situation you may or may not have to buy, maybe at the thrift store) and coat the lint in wax.  There is a great tutorial at this site: http://selfrelianceadventures.blogspot.com/2009/02/practically-free-egg-...

Throughout the year, I've taken photos with my digital camera, and have uploaded them to a local drug store that has 1 hour photo. I've used their technology to create 4x6 collage cards, which I'm gluing onto plain cards with envelopes, combining them with ribbon and using them as gifts for people. The photos are not only beautiful, but meaningful to a wide variety of people, in that some came from my folks' house (which was sold this year) and others from various travels.

 Each Wreath sold will provide a Guatemalan child with vitamins for one year

USE YOUR OWN TALENTSLast year my friend gave me a very clever gift I just loved.  It was copies from sketches he drew on a trip to Venice many years ago.  They were beautiful landscape prints of places that he found interesting and he copied them on parchment paper and put them in borders that made